The Orioles Have a Serious Spending Problem
Throughout the 2024-25 MLB offseason, there is one team that has clearly fallen behind other contenders. Thus far, the Baltimore Orioles have failed to retain ace Corbin Burnes, who decided to sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks after just one season in Baltimore. Additionally, it looks to be a longshot that the team re-signs power, hitting outfielder Anthony Santander, who clubbed 44 home runs last season while driving in 102 runs. Failure to resign such pivotal pieces to a near championship-ready squad has many fans questioning the front office’s desire to win.
When David Rubenstein and his investment group purchased the Orioles in early 2024, many believed that the team would be much more open to spending than in years past. Right after Rubenstein took ownership, the team made a big move for Corbin Burnes, who they ultimately could not keep. Despite being given David Rubenstein’s green light to spend this offseason, General Manager Mike Elias has not pulled the trigger on many marquee free agents. While the team has signed Tyler O’Neill, they have certainly lost much more production than they have gained, as O’Neil alone cannot make up for the departure of multiple all-stars. Per multiple sources, Elias is more interested in building a team from the ground up, directly to the contrary of other contenders like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets. While, in theory, this is a valiant way to find success in an organization, in today’s MLB, it may not be the most realistic.
Many small market teams fail to attract big free agents due to the small cities in which the team resides or the lack of spending power that a team may possess. Countless fan bases have to deal with their teams’ owners keeping payroll outrageously low or cutting payroll year after year. Now that the Orioles have an owner who is willing to spend in order to pair free-agent acquisitions with an already amazing young core of superstars like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson with Jackson Holliday on his way, the team is squandering an amazing opportunity. Mike Elias and the Baltimore Orioles front office must change their approach and soon before they find themselves slipping out of contention in one of the league's most competitive divisions.
