Could the Baltimore Orioles’ Bullpen Handcuff Buck Showalter?

Sep 18, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) points to the bullpen as he takes out Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Tyler Wilson (63) during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles are heading into the New Year with a lot of questions. Who will be an addition to the starting rotation? Who will be the starting first baseman? Who will man the outfield positions?

One place where there is not a lot of questions is in the bullpen. And this could be a problem.

Buck Showalter has made it repeatedly clear in the past that he likes having optionable pieces in the bullpen.

However, 2015 may not bring that.

Let’s look at what a projected seven man bullpen would look like, assuming the Orioles sign one more starter and the rotation consists of Chris Tillman, signed starter, Kevin Gausman, Ubaldo Jimenez and Miguel Gonzalez.

1. Closer – Zach Britton – no options remaining
2. Setup man – Darren O’Day – options remaining, but cannot be optioned without consent
3. 7-inning man – Brad Brach – no options remaining
4. 7-inning man – Mychal Givens – options remaining
5. Left-Handed Reliever – Brian Matusz – no options remaining
6. Right-Handed Reliever – Dylan Bundy – no options remaining
7. Long Reliever – Vance Worley – no options remaining

So, one player with options. Now, as for the other options for the bullpen, those include Chaz Roe (no options), CJ Riefenhauser (option remaining), T.J. McFarland (option remaining), Jason Garcia (options remaining).

I think that Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson start at Norfolk, and are not options for the Orioles to start the year, barring injuries or the team not signing a starter.

Likewise, I think Oliver Drake starts at Norfolk, mainly because if Givens doesn’t make the team, I think he is probably replaced by Roe or McFarland.

I think Garcia is going to be in Norfolk as well, where the team can figure out if he is a starter or a reliever.  I could see him as a late-inning pitcher for the O’s.

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Britton, O’Day, Brach, Matusz and Worley are likely locked in. Either Matusz or Worley could possibly make the rotation. Either Matusz or Riefenhauser has to be in the bullpen to provide a lefty other than Britton.

Bundy, as is well-documented, has to be in the majors. And I don’t think it is at all possible for him to be a starter coming off his injuries. It is highly possible the team puts him on the disabled list to start the year, but that is a temporary fix.

Now, if the team goes to an 8-man bullpen, that all changes. I think that is possible, depending on the first base and outfield acquisitions. All the moving parts are bound to be answered before Spring Training.