The Baltimore Orioles plan to face the 2026 season without star closer Felix Bautista due to rotator cuff and labrum surgery. Baltimore’s bullpen capabilities are also diminished without the likes of Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto. Arms are a top priority for the team to mount a turnaround bid after a disappointing 2025 season.
Why The Orioles Should Sign Devin Williams
2026 brings along several high-leverage and accomplished relief pitchers that could ease the pain of losing Bautista. One name that stands out as a potential target for the Orioles is New York Yankees closer Devin Williams. It makes perfect sense for the team, not just in terms of replacing their closer, but weakening a division rival in the process.
Devin Williams Is A Strikeout Machine
Baltimore underwhelmed with striking out batters this year, finishing just in the bottom half of that category. Most of the bullpen, including Keegan Akin and Yennier Cano, had a strikeout rate per nine under nine strikeouts. It directly puts pressure on the defense to perform and gives offenses opportunities to avoid unproductive outs with runners on base.
Williams provides a much-needed asset that is pivotal in tight late-game situations, something the Orioles lack. On the surface level, the 31-year-old closer had his worst season on record with a 4.79 ERA and a WAR of -0.3. But he continued to cement himself as a premier closer when taking a deeper look.
Devin Williams had a poor 4.79 ERA in 2025, but his elite finish to the season and top-10 K% (34.7%) will make him a hot commodity this winter.
Should the #Yankees extend the Qualifying Offer to him? pic.twitter.com/PPVSdkS1Zw
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) October 21, 2025
2025 marked the sixth consecutive year Williams held a strikeout rate of more than ten over nine innings. It also marked his lowest walk rate since the 2020 season at 3.6 per nine. The downside is that he held a higher-than-normal hit rate and surrendered five home runs over 62 innings pitched.
When compared across all eligible reliever pitchers, Williams’ strikeout and chase rates hold in the 97th percentile. The whiff rate also ranks in the 99th percentile, despite a high barrel rate and average fastball velocity. Essentially, the veteran’s numbers also mirror Bautista’s statistics with a much better chase rate and limiting hard contact.
Here’s a look at Devin Williams baseball savant. He’s throwing his changeup a lot more than last year and it seems to have a slightly less drop. Curious if they can figure this out. #yankees #devinwilliams pic.twitter.com/sFfXVffDhS
— Vincentb55 (@Vincentb551) April 26, 2025
Both his changeup and four-seamer are effective and over around the Mendoza line. Williams also induces a healthy number of ground balls at a 45% clip, but does have an elevated line drive number at 22%. Otherwise, he fits Bautista’s profile very well.
The Orioles Can Afford Devin Williams
It’s unlikely the Yankees re-sign Williams, given that David Bednar outshone him for the close job in the second half of 2025. Spotrac places Williams’ AAV at $5.75 million, though it will likely be higher once the season ends. The good news is that Baltimore won’t have too many restrictions when it comes to tax space.
Orioles owner David Rubenstein on how high the payroll can go
“I don’t have a financial limit” pic.twitter.com/v1GKtQGrYz
— Baltimore Banner Sports (@AllBannerSports) February 17, 2025
The Orioles’ 2026 roster is expected to be around $102 million in payroll at this time if they make no moves in the offseason. A contract on the higher end for Williams, probably $15 million per year, makes a very little dent in their space. It could be even more negatable if Baltimore trades away Ryan Mountcastle.
It would be a mistake not to pursue Williams in the offseason with that type of budget. However, the team has other things to pursue as well, including starting pitching and outfielders. Even if it’s just for a year, adding a veteran strikeout machine to the bullpen gives the rotation someone to fall back on in a tight game.
Main Photo Credits: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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