Headlines

  • Rangers Fire Manager Chris Woodward
  • Walker Buehler To Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
  • Orioles Promote DL Hall
  • Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended 80 Games For Performance-Enhancing Drug Violation
  • Tarik Skubal Visiting Specialist With Elbow Issue; Expected To Miss Remainder Of Season
  • Mariners Designate Ken Giles For Assignment
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Orioles’ Breakout Reliever Should Be In Demand This Winter

By Anthony Franco | October 26, 2021 at 10:22pm CDT

The Orioles are coming off their fourth consecutive season posting one of the five worst records in MLB. It is very slowly becoming easier to see the potential for better days, with top prospects Adley Rutschman and Grayson Rodriguez soon to join breakout star Cedric Mullins and solid young players like Austin Hays and Ryan Mountcastle at the big league level.

Baltimore should be better in 2022 than they’ve been over the last few seasons, but they’re not on the verge of contention. The O’s front office probably views 2023 and beyond as a more realistic window to compete. If that’s the case, then GM Mike Elias figures to listen to offers on Cole Sulser, whose surprising 2021 season should make him a prime trade target for clubs this winter.

Sulser had appeared briefly in the majors before this year. He broke in with Tampa Bay in 2019, then was claimed off waivers by Baltimore over the following offseason. He was hit around in his early big league time, but his track record of posting huge strikeout numbers in the minors inspired the Baltimore front office to give him another opportunity. Sulser worked in low-leverage situations for the first couple months, but he proved to be one of the few reliable bullpen options for manager Brandon Hyde. By late June, Hyde was giving him more important innings.

Thanks to that strong first few months, he reportedly drew a bit of interest at the trade deadline. There’s no indication a deal ever got close this summer, but teams should be more motivated to land Sulser now. From July 31 onward, the right-hander tossed 25 innings of 2.52 ERA ball while holding opponents to a .207/.247/.304 slash line. Sulser’s strikeout rate actually ticked down from his early season level, but he paired that with a corresponding drop in walks.

Overall, Sulser’s coming off a 2021 campaign in which he worked 63 1/3 frames with a 2.70 ERA/3.45 SIERA. He punched out a solid 28.4% of batters faced while only walking 8.9% of his opponents. Despite middle-of-the-road velocity, Sulser racked up plenty of whiffs on a backspinning four-seam fastball which he generally featured up in the strike zone. He backed that up with a solid changeup that he located consistently down and arm side, an effective weapon that was crucial in neutralizing left-handed hitters (who hit .186/.270/.274 in 127 plate appearances).

Sulser has missed bats in both Triple-A and the big leagues. He throws strikes at a strong clip, succeeded in higher-leverage situations, and is effective against hitters from both sides of the plate. Contending clubs are always on the lookout for bullpen help, and Sulser has a strong all-around profile.

Equally appealing is Sulser’s contractual outlook. He’s not slated to reach arbitration eligibility until the conclusion of next season. Barring changes to the service structure in the next collective bargaining agreement, he’d remain under club control for three seasons thereafter. That affordability should appeal to both low-payroll clubs as well as bigger spenders intent on staying below the luxury tax threshold.

That remaining control means the Orioles don’t have to trade Sulser this offseason, but it seems likely they’d be open if made a strong enough offer. A late bloomer, he’s already 31 years old (32 in March). Baltimore probably won’t be in position to contend before Sulser turns 33 or 34.

Relief pitchers also tend to be volatile, so Elias and his staff could see this winter as the best opportunity to move Sulser for a strong prospect return. The O’s reportedly fielded interest in Tanner Scott and Paul Fry at the deadline but elected to hold both players. Each had an atrocious second half that likely sapped the bulk of their trade value. It’s fair to wonder if the front office would rather strike relatively early on a Sulser deal than risk a similar downturn in production from him next summer.

Sulser’s breakout performance could result in his changing teams in the coming months. Still buried at the bottom of the standings, the O’s front office figures to continue to jump at opportunities to stockpile young talent as they progress through their massive rebuilding project. Turning a fairly recent waiver claim into a solid prospect or two makes plenty of sense for Baltimore, while Sulser might have pitched his way into more immediate contention.

Share 0 Retweet 8 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles MLBTR Originals Trade Candidate Cole Sulser

Rockies To Promote Darryl Scott To Pitching Coach
Main
Padres Interview Ozzie Guillen In Managerial Search
View Comments (48)

Comments

  1. Baseball 1600

    10 months ago

    This is the type of guy to get traded to the Padres and either immediately get injured or immediately underperform

    Reply
    • The Mets "Missed WAR"

      10 months ago

      Maybe. I could also see the Rockies acquiring him just to say to their fans they acquired a good player. Obviously he’s just a relief pitcher. That didn’t stop them from announcing they “acquired a superstar” in the Michael Givens deal. He came from the same Baltimore Orioles bullpen this guy does.

      Reply
      • misterlol

        10 months ago

        Lol

        Reply
      • seamaholic 2

        10 months ago

        The guy they got from the Reds for Givens is a really good pitching prospect who was excellent in the Rockies system this year. I wouldn’t say that just yet.

        Reply
        • neo

          10 months ago

          Who, Davis? Not looking near as well as the guys Colorado gave up to get Givens.

      • tstats

        10 months ago

        Givens was pretty good in Denver

        Reply
      • Arnold Ziffel

        10 months ago

        This is true and as the saying goes, it hurts.

        Reply
    • jdgoat

      10 months ago

      W

      Reply
  2. Rsox

    10 months ago

    A career minor league Reliever who had a career year at age 31 screams buyer beware

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      10 months ago

      eugh, he had injury issues and was held back a bit in the CLE system. TB aquired him so there’s that to take note of.

      Reply
  3. Samuel

    10 months ago

    The Orioles may get some nibbles, but probably not great offers. Relief pitchers are the most volatile segment of an MLB team. All teams sign low-level FA pitchers or invite them to Spring Training on a minor league contract, hoping to find a few that have been modifying their game with off-season coaching on the off-chance that one or two can help the team. Mostly teams now trade for relief pitchers in-season after seeing how they’re pitching that year (or if the scouting staff and / or player acquisition staff see something in the pitcher they can correct that they think will make him effective).

    If Mr. Sulser’s “breakout performance” carry over to early 2022 then yes, they can probably get some decent prospects for him. But right now he’s viewed as a 9 year professional baseball player that’s coming off a very good half-season.

    Reply
    • BPax

      10 months ago

      Excellent point Samuel. The Mariners are a prime example. We had a great bullpen this year manned by guys most M’s fans had never heard of. DiPoto signed a bunch of guys with potential upside and several panned out really well. But history tells us that there certainly is no guarantee that all or any of them will be as good next season.

      Reply
  4. DarkSide830

    10 months ago

    I like Sulser, and the late breakout doesnt concern me, but the fact that the O’s will want a return for a controllable player when some of that control will be when he’s into his mid-30s and he may already be declining is scary. kinda like Rich-Rod, but the track record and age disparity is even greater.

    Reply
  5. Faith in the Padres

    10 months ago

    Sell high. Youre in a rebuild. Get as many shots at a corner stone player as you can. Corner stone starter, position player in a ball from a team looking to contend in 2022.

    Reply
  6. Buzz Saw

    10 months ago

    How has Baltimore been this bad for this long?

    Reply
    • mikedickinson

      10 months ago

      Peter. Angelos.

      Reply
    • amanateeamongmen

      10 months ago

      Angelos is probably a top 10 worst owner in all major league sports.

      Reply
      • NMK 2

        10 months ago

        The McCaskey family in Chicago and Ilitch family in Detroit would like to have a word with you. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about the Wilpons in New York any longer.

        Reply
        • Ronk325

          10 months ago

          I don’t think you should put the Ilitch family in that category. Mike Ilitch had the Tigers go all in to try to win a championship before he died. Sure it left them with a barren farm system that has taken a while to replenish but a lot of fan bases would be thrilled to see their team actually make an effort to win

        • Ducey

          10 months ago

          Yeah. Mike Ilitch is in the Hockey hall of Fame and the Red Wings made the playoffs 25 years in a row. They were the best team in hockey 6 times and won the Cup 4 times.

        • Ra

          10 months ago

          Angelos did same exact thing Ilitch did.

    • RedFraggle

      10 months ago

      3 years? They’re rebuilding. The Astros were pretty bad too FYI.

      Reply
    • GoRav114

      10 months ago

      They were in the playoffs 5 years ago. Hopefully back in 2023

      Reply
  7. iverbure

    10 months ago

    He’s 31 and still a year away from arb eligible? That’s the problem with the cba. PA should be worrying about getting RP more money. Most of mlb problems stem from the abuse of optional RP who make the league minimum.

    Reply
    • Ted

      10 months ago

      Most of MLBs problems?

      Reply
      • iverbure

        10 months ago

        Correct. 3 true outcomes, time of game, less reliance on SP. several of mlb problems they’re actively trying to fix have to do with cheap optional RP who are easily replaceable every year with some other nameless RP who throws hard.

        Reply
  8. Lou Orlando

    10 months ago

    The O’s won’t get much for this guy, so they should take what they can get. Besides, at 31, it’s not as though he’s part of their long term plans.

    Would like to see the O’s become good again. I’m a Phillies fan, but each year I meet up with several college classmates at an Orioles game. The last few years, save for 2020 when nobody was at the games, it was sad to see all those empty seats.

    Reply
    • stymeedone

      10 months ago

      Relief pitchers don’t tend to fall off like other positions. Many mid thirties relievers do quite well. They have 4 more years of control! That’s much more important than his age, as he doesn’t have a burdensome contract.

      Reply
      • iverbure

        10 months ago

        Relief pitchers do tend to fall off. It’s the most volatile position in the sport.

        Reply
  9. Lefty_Orioles_Fan

    10 months ago

    Did Cole Sulser pay someone for this article to be written?

    Reply
    • Mystery Team

      10 months ago

      He shadow wrote it actually.

      Reply
  10. totoiv

    10 months ago

    I want to know is this the year the Os start spending SOME money on free agents? We, the fans, have been sold the Os are following the Astros model over & over. Well in year 4 Astros spent money on a few free agents. The Astros added a starting pitcher and a closer, to start with. It didn’t help a lot, they only won 70games in year 4 of the rebuild, but they did start spending on legitimate free agents beyond the bounce around the league scrubs.

    Reply
    • JohhnyBets67

      10 months ago

      This is probably the year. I would expect some starters to be signed. There just isn’t enough SP’s in the org at this point. We gave Kremer& Akin a shot. They flashed some potential in ‘20 but definitely regressed last year.

      Zim & Means are the only 2 that I think are penciled in as starters. I’d expect we get a decent middle rotation and a backend arm or 2.

      Reply
  11. RedFraggle

    10 months ago

    This article is missing some information. He pitched well to start 2020 and was thrust into the closer role where he got beat up. He was also injured according to reports. This year he really just got back to where he was and excelled.

    Reply
  12. lordd99

    10 months ago

    A 32-year-old, career minor leaguer reliever who just had a surprise season? Really not sure they’d get that much for him.

    Reply
  13. bobtillman

    10 months ago

    Gotta agree with Samuel on this one. They won’t get much for him now; but if he repeats in the first half of 2022, they can get a whole lot more at the deadline. Relievers are the currency of the realm on July 31, especially the “hot” ones.

    Reply
  14. Old York

    10 months ago

    Orioles’ breakout reliever? They had the worst bullpen ERA. I wouldn’t touch them with a 10-foot pole.

    Reply
    • JohhnyBets67

      10 months ago

      Imagine what the Bullpen ERA would’ve been without him then…..

      If anything you just made a point to acquire Sulser….Far more likely he goes in July if he’s able to repeat this season’s #’s.

      Can’t believe the team didn’t move Fry before his implosion. He has no value now. I think Sulser is a quality arm though. Wouldn’t mind hanging on for a better offer in July.

      Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      10 months ago

      You can have a bad bullpen, but one good player in it.

      Reply
    • Ra

      10 months ago

      No team would be acquiring the whole bullpen by trading for Sulser

      Reply
  15. Thornton Mellon

    10 months ago

    Another reason why the date that the Orioles will be competitive keeps getting pushed back. Anyone displaying any semblance of competence is traded. I’m not worried about a reliever so much as we will soon have that “will be competitive” date pushed back to where hmm, now Trey Mancini won’t be part of the next Orioles competitive team. Oh wait, Mountcastle is coming up on 5 years better trade him before we have to pay him. And so on.

    Reply
  16. eephus11

    10 months ago

    The best teams find these guys internally and ride them til they break down or get too pricey, then they break on the team that paid big for them.

    Reply
  17. Cgoss

    10 months ago

    Sulser is not going anywhere. Him and their young breakout pitcher they got from the Twins are solid. The Orioles will be a lot better than most expect in 2022. They really need some starting pitching most of all. Their offense is decent.

    Reply
    • Ra

      10 months ago

      Him is solid, huh?

      Reply
  18. Peart of the game

    10 months ago

    About time for Sulser to show just how good he is in the MLB finally. I was worried he might get stuck as a AAAA guy after 2020. I always knew he had a 2021 caliber season in him after Tampa acquired him in the three team trade between the Rays, Mariners and Indians.

    Reply
  19. HidekiMatsuimalemodel

    10 months ago

    Orioles will lose 100 games for the next 4-5 years. The red Sox Yankees and rays jays will always be better for a awhile

    Reply
    • Ra

      10 months ago

      Please place money on your uninformed claim of 100 losses for the next 4 – 5 years,

      Reply
  20. steveguy13

    10 months ago

    Just keep the guy. The O’s pen is hot garbage, he is one of two legitimate bright spots out there judging by last season’s performances. They’re not going to get anything meaningful for him, so just keep him.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Rangers Fire Manager Chris Woodward

    Walker Buehler To Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

    Orioles Promote DL Hall

    Fernando Tatis Jr. Suspended 80 Games For Performance-Enhancing Drug Violation

    Tarik Skubal Visiting Specialist With Elbow Issue; Expected To Miss Remainder Of Season

    Mariners Designate Ken Giles For Assignment

    Michael Brantley Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

    Tigers Fire General Manager Al Avila

    Matt Carpenter Expected To Miss 6-8 Weeks With Foot Fracture

    Braves Select Top Prospect Vaughn Grissom, Activate Kirby Yates

    2022-23 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: August Edition

    Tim Anderson Out 4-6 Weeks Due To Torn Ligament In Hand

    Blue Jays Sign Jackie Bradley Jr., Designate Matt Peacock

    Chris Sale Fractures Wrist, Will Miss Remainder Of Season

    Cubs To Release Jason Heyward At End Of Season

    Cubs Claim Franmil Reyes From Guardians

    Fernando Tatis Jr. To Begin Rehab Assignment

    Rockies Claim Dinelson Lamet, Designate Ashton Goudeau

    Cubs Release Andrelton Simmons

    Alex Kirilloff To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

    Recent

    Rangers Fire Manager Chris Woodward

    David Dahl Opts Out Of Minor League Deal With Nationals

    Dodgers Planning To Reinstate Dustin May On Saturday

    Mets Select Deven Marrero

    Walker Buehler To Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

    Mets Place Luis Guillorme On Injured List

    Dodgers Designate Tony Wolters For Assignment

    Blue Jays, Yoshi Tsutsugo Close To Minor League Deal

    Blue Jays Designate Bradley Zimmer For Assignment

    Phillies Place Corey Knebel On Injured List, Designate Andrew Vasquez

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Cubs Decline To Trade Contreras, Happ
    • Giants Keep Rodon, Pederson
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version