Another club option decision for the O's: Reliever Seranthony Domínguez

The Orioles have some important roster decisions coming soon. Within five days of the end of the World Series they have to decide if they will pick up club options for 2025 on a few players to include reliever Seranthony Domínguez.

It comes down to a $7.5 million dollar decision. He’ll get $8 million if they pick up his option and a $500,000 buyout if they do not.

Looking at his overall numbers for 2024, where Domínguez went 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 58 2/3 innings with a career-high 1.8 homers allowed per nine, you might say do not pick up this option at that price.

On the other hand, he was better with the Orioles than Phillies despite still giving up a lot of home runs and provides another big bullpen arm in the late innings to join returning Félix Bautista. The O’s are hopeful Bautista will be his old self but bringing back Domínguez could provide some buffer. And added depth.

The O’s added Domínguez and since departed outfielder Cristian Pache from the Phillies for outfielder Austin Hays on July 26.

In 25 Baltimore-only games, he went 0-2 with a 3.97 ERA and saved 10 of 11 games. He stranded two of nine inherited runners, had a 1.279 WHIP a 3.6 walks per nine and 11.1 strikeouts. His swing and miss rate got better on the O’s watch but he allowed 2.4 homers per nine.

While his average exit velocity of 86.3 mph last season ranked in the top 11 percent of the majors, he was in the bottom two percentage with a 12.2 barrel percentage. So they didn’t square him up a high percentage but when they did the ball was really smoked and too often went a long way.

But if the O’s bring him back, they’ll get an experienced reliever with closing experience that gets out both left (career .733 OPS against) and right-handed (.579 OPS) hitters.

He has also been good in the playoffs with a career 1.02 ERA and 0.962 WHIP in 17 2/3 innings. In 2023 for the Phillies, he allowed one unearned in 5 1/3 October innings. This year for the Orioles he pitched 1 2/3 scoreless.

For what it is worth, in 13 innings in 2024 against AL East teams, he gave up one run for an ERA of 0.69 and was 6-for-6 in save chances.

For his career he allows a .657 OPS pitching with runners in scoring position and .650 pitching with runners on base.

He can really bring it with his fastball and his 97.8 mph average velocity is in the top four percent in the majors. 

I’ve heard opinions that no way they can bring back Domínguez and make him the highest-paid reliever on the team. But the big fastball, the postseason track record, ability to face left and right and closing experience tells me that could be a tough call for the club and one that might end in Domínguez’s favor for a return.