Playoff baseball continues, but not for the Orioles. Instead, they are in offseason mode early.
Good Morning, Birdland!
A week ago, the Orioles clinched the AL’s top Wild Card seed. Today, they are sitting on the couch with the rest of us as the Division Series gets underway. Baseball is cruel like that.
The next few weeks are going to be agonizing. Baseball games will be played that—at times this year—it felt like the Orioles were destined to be a part of. It was rather easy to make an argument back in mid-June that the Orioles were the best team on the junior circuit and maybe in all of baseball. No one was guaranteeing a World Series title or anything, but the O’s had as good of a shot as anyone else to make a deep run.
Instead, in early October, we are left to wring our hands. Suddenly, the young upstarts from 2022 are all grown up and all they have to show for it are two quick, winless trips to the postseason and an unclear path forward. Uncertainty abounds to a degree.
It’s odd because, in reality, the Orioles are spoiled with stability. We know the top decision-makers—the folks that brought the organization it’s first back-to-back playoff appearances in 27 years—will be back in 2025. Mike Elias is the head of baseball operations, and Brandon Hyde is manning things in the dugout. The roster remains rather young and talented, albeit with room for improvement. And a few key players will be back from injury next year, including closer Félix Bautista, and staff ace Kyle Bradish (sometime in the second half of 2025, anyway). There remains plenty of good things happening for the Orioles.
But getting swept out of the playoffs two years in a row was not the promise we were made during the dark times from 2019-21. Elias planned on getting this organization deep into October once agin. He has not accomplished that yet, and that makes this coming winter a crucial one. Sweeping changes aren’t coming, but an altered approach should be.
The internal talent has gotten us to this point. Now add to it. That may mean packaging more prospects to get another stud pitcher (or two). It could mean giving a veteran hitter with some postseason success a multi-year deal. It could mean giving one of those coveted homegrown talents a big extension. It should not mean papering over holes, and keeping your fingers crossed next fall.
Links
Does Santander’s possible departure increase need for veteran bats? | Roch Kubatko
Yes. The Orioles probably need a veteran bat regardless, but if Anthony Santander signs elsewhere then they REALLY need a veteran bat. The home grown talent is very good. But there is something missing. It’s not like the whole offense is going to be overhauled, so tweaks will have to suffice.
Kyle Goon: Another early Orioles exit brings David Rubenstein up to bat | The Baltimore Banner
It sure doesn’t seem like David Rubenstein bought his hometown team in order to sit on his hands. He wants to win a World Series and give his city a parade. But he has also made it clear that Mike Elias is the one making the baseball decisions. Rubenstein’s role is to provide the resources. Liftoff?
MLB Free Agents 2024: Latest Predictions Before ALDS, NLDS Bracket Games | Bleacher Report
We’re scrapping the bottom of the barrel here, folks. Corbin Burnes is mentioned, and this random blog post thinks he will go to the Cubs. Sure. The writer also says that because the Orioles are yet to offer a free agent a multi-year deal under Mike Elias that it is unlikely to change this offseason. That sounds backwards to me. If anything, the likelihood of that happening has never been higher.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- The late Terry Matthews (b. 1964, d. 2012) was born on this day. From 1996 through ‘98 he pitched out of the Orioles bullpen, accumulating a 4.57 ERA over 102.1 innings.
This day in history
1966 – The Orioles win Game 1 of the World Series over the Dodgers, 5-2. Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson both go deep in the first inning, and Moe Drabowsky strikes out 11 hitters en route to the victory.
1971 – The O’s complete a sweep of the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS with a 5-3 win. Jim Palmer tosses a complete game, and Don Buford leads the offense with three hits.
1997 – Mike Mussina sends the Orioles to their second consecutive ALCS with seven strong innings against the Mariners. Jeff Reboulet and Gerónimo Berroa both homer off of M’s starter Randy Johnson.
2014 – Game 3 of the ALDS ends just like Games 1 & 2 with an Orioles win over the Detroit Tigers. Bud Norris tosses 6.1 shutout innings and Nelson Cruz smacks a two-run homer.