Baltimore Orioles: From Struggles to Triumphs and Challenges Ahead
The Baltimore Orioles have been a team on a fascinating yet turbulent journey over the past several years. From the depths of their struggling performances in the late 2010s to their significantly improved seasons recently, the Orioles' trajectory encapsulates a tale of rebirth in the Major League Baseball landscape.
Back in the 2018 season, the Orioles hit rock bottom, losing a staggering 115 games. The subsequent years weren't much kinder, as they lost 108 and 110 games in 2019 and 2021, respectively. These seasons were a period of intense rebuilding and reassessment within the organization.
However, the past few seasons have shown remarkable progress. In 2023, the Orioles clawed their way back to relevance, boasting an 83-win season. This marked a significant improvement and a powerful statement of intent for a team that had so recently been languishing at the bottom of the standings. But the turnaround did not end there.
The 2024 season was a testament to the Orioles' determination and resilience, as they recorded a sensational 101-win campaign, reaching the playoffs for the second consecutive year. This was a massive leap for a team that had endured such hardship in the not-too-distant past. Yet, despite their regular season heroics, the postseason has not been kind to the Orioles, as they hold an 0-5 record and have been outscored 24-12.
Scoring only once in two crucial postseason games exposed vulnerabilities that Baltimore must address to transform their regular season success into playoff victories. The following year, the Orioles managed 91 wins, maintaining their competitive edge but also underscoring the consistency demanded at top levels of baseball.
Offensively, Anthony Santander has been a standout, recently hitting an impressive 44 home runs in a single season. However, Baltimore's stability could face future disruption. Santander is currently a free agent, leaving a potential gap in their right-side batting power. The Orioles' General Manager, Mike Elias, acknowledged this, saying, "I think we will. Anthony being a free agent right now, the possibility of losing him from the right side of the plate is something that we're looking at."
The uncertainty extends beyond Santander. The Orioles’ top pitcher is entering free agency, raising questions about their pitching rotation's future depth and strength. Elias elaborated on this challenge, noting, "Our best starting pitcher from last year is going into the free-agent process... those profiles will definitely be missed if it's not those guys, and so we're going to have to look at the market for alternatives, too."
The Orioles' current rotation includes Zach Eflin, who has secured an $18 million contract for the next season, along with Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, Albert Suárez, and Trevor Rogers. However, the rotation will need bolstering, especially with Kyle Bradish and Félix Bautista recovering from Tommy John surgery, which remains a pivotal concern for Baltimore’s pitching future.
Amid these uncertainties, the Orioles find themselves in a financially flexible position, with no commitments lined up for the 2026 season. This provides a strategic opportunity for Baltimore to pursue key acquisitions that can solidify their roster and address the challenges highlighted by Elias.
In contrast, the team is likely to watch Corbin Burnes, a consistently top performer in the Cy Young voting, as an indicator of the level of pitching excellence they aspire to maintain or acquire. Having such benchmarks is crucial as they plot an ascent not only to the playoffs but also contend for deeper runs in the postseason.
As Baltimore stands on this threshold of potential success and necessary adaptation, how they navigate free agency and their strategic investments in both hitting and pitching will heavily influence their trajectory. The Orioles have shown they can rise from depths of despair to being viable contenders. Now comes the imperative challenge of closing gaps and ensuring their resilience and talent translate into postseason glory.