The Baltimore Orioles are scouring around looking at midlevel closing options to fill out the back end of their bullpen when they should be looking at former upper level starting pitching to convert into a top closer. I believe Brad Penny would be a perfect fit for the Orioles bullpen needs. While Penny has a history of injury problems, you can’t help but see the talent that is there and how effective he could actually be if his workload was reduced to that of a closer. If the Orioles are willing to give Kevin Gregg a two year $10 MM contract, wouldn’t they rather have a one year deal with a two-time all-star for under $4 MM? I am not sure how Brad Penny would respond to the offer of being a closer, but it never hurts to ask. You have look over every possible option that is out there when running a baseball team no matter how remote the possibility. I would think this would be a win-win situation for all of those involved. Penny needs to resurrect his career and with his injury history a move to the bullpen may help him stay off the DL. He would be able to pitch at a higher level for the course of his appearance since he will only be working one inning or so at a time and that should improve his effectiveness. He is not a Type B free agent like Kevin Gregg so it will not cost the Orioles any draft picks were they to sign him. Penny has been hampered recently with injuries, however those minor injuries (back strain, lat strain and shoulder soreness) in 2010 could have been more manageable in a bullpen environment. His stats should translate well to the closer role and he should see a jump in his k/9 ratio that currently sits at 6.3. It seems to me that Brad Penny has the demeanor it takes to be a top notch closer and he has a track record of previous success. Even if he were to fail, the Orioles have plenty of other closing options available in guys like Koji Uehara, Jeremy Accardo and Mike Gonzalez. If he doesn’t fail the Orioles will have a great bullpen for 2010 and Penny could turn into a Type A or B free agent heading into next year. At that point, the Orioles can decide to offer him arbitration or let him walk in exchange for draft picks. The decision would have to be made by Penny to convert to a closer, but if he does you can’t help but wonder how much better of an option he would be than a guy like Kevin Gregg.