3 closers Orioles are targeting for trade as Craig Kimbrel blows up

The Baltimore Orioles have the best record in the American League, showcasing how great their young talent is. But they’ve still got some work to do with their veteran talent. They need to find another reliever for this season to get them through Felix Bautista’s injury.

Ahead of the season, the O’s signed future Hall of Famer Craig Kimbrel to a one-year deal. Bautista had to undergo Tommy John surgery, depriving Baltimore of arguably the best closer in the game. Kimbrel was seen as a stopgap and a veteran arm to help out in the meantime. It hasn’t gone very well.

Kimbrel, put simply, has been even rougher than expected. He has blown numerous saves and failed to finish ninth innings. Manager Brandon Hyde has relegated him to a lower standing in the bullpen. The demotion seemed to help Kimbrel ease his mind, as he earned the win with a clean 11th inning as the Orioles beat the Arizona Diamondbacks. Perhaps that’s where he will stay for most of the rest of the season.

The Orioles are putting together a list of trade targets, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports.

Nightengale writes the following: “The Baltimore Orioles privately realize that they are going to have to find closer for the pennant stretch with Craig Kimbrel melting down. They have their eyes on St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano and Astros reliever Ryan Pressly, if their teams become deadline sellers.”

Orioles will look to acquire closer amid Craig Kimbrel’s failures

Kimbrel has had himself a fantastic career, earning nine All-Star nominations, the Rookie of the Year award, each league’s annual honor for the best reliever and a World Series ring. But at age 35, his time is almost up (if it isn’t already). It’s not his fault but the Orioles have recognized that he can’t be counted on in close situations anymore. After making a splash trade for Corbin Burnes, they will look to make another big move.

Helsley wasn’t traded last deadline as the Cardinals cleaned house but he sure seems like a candidate to be traded this time. With a 1.50 ERA, the 29-year-old is still blowing batters away.

Romano’s Blue Jays aren’t a bad team but are last in the hyper-competitive AL East. Toronto may choose to ship off a few players if its playoff chances sink. He has a measly 4.15 ERA this season but has been below three in each of the last three seasons while throwing at least 59.0 innings.

Pressly is on the sinking ship known as the Houston Astros, the last-place team in the AL West. Josh Hader has been their closer this season but Pressly has been their closer in years past. He’s also 35 years old and hasn’t been great this season, so perhaps he’s a cheaper option if they can’t get one of the top names.

The Orioles will have plenty of options to trade for ahead of the July 30 deadline. They will also have a lot of competitors but also some great prospects to offer.