The Orioles announced that they have exercise a club option on right-hander Seranthony Domínguez while declining their option on left-hander Danny Coulombe. They also announced that they have exercised options on left-hander Cionel Pérez and first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, as was reported earlier today. Domínguez will get $8MM next year instead of a $500K buyout. Coulombe could have been brought back for a $4MM salary but instead becomes a free agent with no buyout.
Domínguez, 30 this month, was acquired from the Phillies at the trade deadline. He went on to make 25 appearances for the O’s with a 3.97 earned run average. He struck out 28.6% of batters faced while giving out walks at a 9.2% clip.
The righty now has a 3.59 ERA, 27.3% strikeout rate, 9.6% walk rate and 45.9% ground ball rate over his 255 career appearances. Some of that has come in leverage situations, as he has racked up 38 saves and 58 holds in his career. Given that generally solid track record, it’s not really a surprise to see the Orioles plunk down another $7.5MM to keep him from getting away.
The decision on Coulombe is a bit more surprising as the lefty has had a solid two-year run with the O’s. He has tossed 81 innings for Baltimore since the start of 2023 with a 2.56 ERA, 28.4% strikeout rate, 5.4% walk rate and 45.4% ground ball rate.
$4MM for a solid lefty reliever like that seems like good value for money but Coulombe also had some challenges this year. He underwent surgery in June to remove bone chips removed from his throwing elbow. He was able to come off the IL in September, making four appearances for the club down the stretch and one in the postseason, but that seemingly wasn’t enough to convince the O’s to keep him around for next year.
They could circle back to him in free agency but Coulombe will have a chance to speak to all of the other clubs as well. The fact that he’s now 35 and coming off an injury-marred season will hurt his earning power but his results over the past two years will work in his favor.
shouldn’t it be the opposite way?
Not bringing back Coulombe for $4M seems like a bad idea. He’s quietly been one of the better relievers in baseball for 2 years now.
Gotta be something in the medicals that concerns the team. If there isn’t a move to strike a different deal with him then we’ll know there’s something in his arm that scared them away big time.
Unbelievable! Should of been other way around. This sucks.
Or should *have* been.
Apparently you knew what I meant.
Yes, and apparently you’re now aware of the proper grammar, which is just as easy to use as the incorrect grammar.
Being wrong but understandable isn’t a virtue and shouldn’t be a goal.
I may have made a grammar mistake, but at least I can always improve and learn. Can you say the same about your attitude?
You used a double negative. Just thought you’d want to be aware of your grammar mistake.
Scott,
Yes, I can. Sorry to pick on your comment, but I see this mistake so often and don’t understand how it started. Maybe it was a talk-to-text error that went viral.
jj,
Please point out the double negative and how that was a grammar mistake.
Sorry, it’s been a learning disability I’ve fought my whole life. Let me know if you ever want to talk baseball. This is actually my favorite time of year.
Actually, it seems like you are belittling someone to make yourself feel better. Dude, do the right thing and just be nice. Let it go.
Belittling? I pointed out a common grammatical error.
Are we sure his full title isn’t Sir Anthony Domínguez? I feel like there’s a bit of trolling going on there.
Coulombe must be injured or this makes no sense.
In a corresponding move today, the Os added that Gonzalez AAA guy to the 40. A lefty who kinda has had the same career journey as Suarez. Os obviously see something here to the point of walking away from lefty Coulumbe?
Really hope this means they’re working on a 2 yr with Danny.
This seems like a crazy move. $8MM for Dominguez and his FIP near 5 over the last two years. But declining $4MM for Coulombe and his 2.83 FIP over the last two years. Plus practically every other stat has Coulombe as the better pitcher in 2023-24. Bizarre unless they’re working out a separate deal for Coulombe. Even still, that price for Dominguez seems too high.
It may be an injury in Coulombe’s case.
Otherwise it makes no sense whatsoever.
What am I missing about Coulombe?
Anyone paying attention is wondering the same thing
Perez over Coulombe is certainly a choice. That’s an intriguing arm added to the market.
Mr walk is a stupid choice!
Was not a choice. Perez was on the team regardless – this is just choosing his option over arbitration.
As for Danny – he pretty good in 2023 and outstanding this year when he was healthy – but I’m going to trust Elias on this one.
Could’ve easily taken Perez off the 40-man and not offer ed him arb.
Looks like the band is going to be all back together with all these options being picked up. $8mil for Dominguez is high but if he’s a 7th/8th inning guy and is above average to dominant it could be a great bridge to Bautista.
The bigger question is where the splashy move will come from this offseason.
Combined 18 mil for O’Hearn, Dominguez and Perez and no money for Coulombe….. When the Orioles win it’s usually in spite of the decision making. Ever since that horrific (with exception of Eflin) trade deadline, I have no idea what they’re thinking.
I guess this will be their alibi for not signing a good player. Maybe this is a sign that Austin Slater will be back!! I didn’t think they could get right in one off season but it’s possible that they make themselves into even a worst team.
It’s early but WTF
Utterly bizarre to decline Coulombe’s option unless he is secretly injured.
Coloumbe must have offended Mike Elias somehow. He’s MUCH better than Soto, for less than half the money. There’s no logical reason to send him away, but someone will snap him up by tomorrow
Has to be medical. Must not think his arm will holdup again.
Have to assume Baltimore doesn’t like his medical record. That’s the only logical explanation I can see.
Huh?