The Baltimore Orioles have struggled a lot this season, and their struggles have reached a new peak.

After returning from Tommy John surgery, Orioles closer Felix Bautista underwent rotator cuff surgery and will miss the next 12 months. This surgery effectively ends his season this year and potentially next year.

With that in mind, the Orioles will need to find a new closer in the offseason.

FanSided’s Chris Landers recently suggested the Orioles could steal rival closer Aroldis Chapman following the recent update with Bautista.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 19: Aroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch during the tenth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on August 19, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Paul Rutherford/Getty Images

“Why not keep Chapman’s AL East tour going? The lefty is still lighting up radar guns at age 37, and he’s authoring one of the very best seasons of his career for the Red Sox right now (1.13 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 69 strikeouts in 48 innings),” Landers wrote. “This wouldn’t be without risk, of course. Chapman can be a … problematic locker room presence, and we’ve seen his effectiveness come and go on a year-to-year (or even week-to-week) basis.

“Relievers are inherently volatile, and Chapman is no exception. Plus, while he shows no signs of slowing down, Father Time comes for us all eventually. Then again, the ceiling is as high as anybody, and his age means that he’s likely to be attainable on a one-year deal.”

At this point in Chapman’s career, he’s likely to accept one-year contracts from the highest bidder. Considering he’s in the middle of a career season, the Orioles would likely need to offer him a $15 million or $20 million deal to land him.

It would come down to whether the Orioles believe they can compete next year. Chapman is a win-now closer at this point in his career. The fit makes sense if Baltimore believes it can win it all next season.

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