The future of the Baltimore Orioles is at a critical juncture, and the decisions made by ownership will define the team's trajectory. As the Orioles struggle to resurrect their season, the question on everyone's mind is: do the owners truly care about winning?
The Ownership Test
It's a simple binary choice: either you're committed to winning, or you're not. And when it comes to the Orioles, the upcoming trade deadline on August 3rd will be a true test of ownership's intentions. If the team fails to make significant moves to chase a playoff spot, the writing will be on the wall.
Fan Frustration and Impatience
The fans are a vital stakeholder in this equation, and their patience is wearing thin. With ticket prices on the rise and wins becoming scarce, the once-excited Birdland members are now restless and rowdy. The upgrades to Camden Yards are appreciated, but ultimately, it's the team's performance on the field that matters most to the fans.
The Pursuit of Victory
Successful sports franchises are driven by a maniacal desire to win. Take the Dodgers, for example, who consistently add star players to their roster, fueled by an unquenchable thirst for championships. In the NFL, the Eagles routinely replace coaches when they fall short of Super Bowl glory, and the Golden State Warriors, after winning the most regular-season games in NBA history, added Kevin Durant to their roster because they hadn't yet won the finals.
The Orioles' Dilemma
The Orioles, with their limited resources, can't match the spending of these top-tier franchises. But a little more aggression in their approach wouldn't hurt. The recent signing of Pete Alonso as a free agent felt like a step in the right direction, but it fell short of a full-blown commitment to winning.
Holding Management Accountable
While it's important for management to maintain stability in the face of fan unrest, there comes a point where accountability is necessary. President of Baseball Operations, Mike Elias, has been at the helm for eight years, and the Orioles are yet to win a playoff game during his tenure. If the team continues on its current trajectory, with diminishing returns from the 2023 AL East title, the fans have every right to demand change.
Potential Roadblocks
There are two potential scenarios that could prevent ownership from making a change. Firstly, Elias has proven to be a capable seller, collecting useful pieces during the rebuild. Secondly, the looming labor negotiations and the possibility of a lockout may make ownership hesitant to bring in a new executive who could be sidelined for the first few months of the year.
The Bigger Picture
However, these potential roadblocks should not deter ownership from making a change if they are serious about winning. Keeping a skilled asset manager or an experienced executive should not be prioritized over finding someone who can lead the team to victory.
A Personal Perspective
I'm not advocating for the downfall of Elias or the front office. I understand his earnest desire to win and his pain when the Orioles fall short. But the reality is that the late-season surge and surprise redemption for Elias feels like a distant dream with each passing loss. If that dream fades, ownership will be faced with a defining decision: either they care about winning and take action, or they don't.
Conclusion
The Orioles' ownership group must decide whether they're in it to win or not. The fans are watching, and their patience is running thin. It's time for a bold move, a statement of intent, and a commitment to bringing winning baseball back to Baltimore.
