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Baltimore Orioles: 4 proposals to fix the Orioles’ imploding bullpen

By Nate Wardle

May 16, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) takes the ball to relieve relief pitcher Alec Asher (51) in the 11th inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) takes the ball to relieve relief pitcher Alec Asher (51) in the 11th inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Stefan Crichton (43) delivers a pitch against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Stefan Crichton (43) delivers a pitch against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Utilize a seven-man bullpen

This one happened today. The Orioles are called up Stefan Crichton.

The corresponding move made sense, as the Orioles’ designated Francisco Pena for assignment. Now that Craig Gentry is at AAA Norfolk, there was no reason to carry a five-man bench.

This has been a long time coming. The Orioles split their last 16 games, and have tried from the beginning of the year to use the short bullpen.

That is all fine and well whenever you have lots of off days, healthy starters, etc.

But an extra-inning game or a short outing due to injury or ejection can throw the best-laid plans into turmoil. This has forced the team to have the Norfolk shuttle running at warp speed, sometimes maneuvering numerous players in an individual series.

With the longer bullpen, the team can get back to working to protect pitchers. No longer is it a disaster if Darren O’Day is out for a few days (although I still think he could have been put on the disabled list) and you are down to five pitchers or less.

The added maneuverability in the bullpen is beneficial, especially because of the emergence of Seth Smith as a competent defensive outfielder.

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