From The Banner · Jon Meoli · · 1m 50s
Orioles' Lesson from Two League Championship Series
Orioles balance small-market strategy with Dodgers-style spending after recent trade moves.
In brief
Orioles balance small-market strategy with Dodgers-style spending after recent trade moves. Orioles shifted from transactional roster building to long-term value after 2021 sale, avoiding costly trades while maintaining playoff competitiveness. Originally reported by The Banner.
Orioles' two league championship series
The Orioles' real lesson from these two league championship series involves balancing small-market strategy with Dodgers-style spending after recent trade moves.
“The Orioles don’t fall into either of those buckets neatly”
Orioles' financial shift
After buying the team from the Angelos family, the Orioles changed their financial approach while maintaining small-market constraints.
“Something clearly changed in the Orioles’ approach to constructing their roster when David Rubenstein, Michael Arougheti and their group bought the team from the Angelos family and altered the club’s financial situation”
Orioles' recent trades
The Orioles added significant talent to their farm system through trades of major league stars nearing free agency.
“they have returned to their small-market, future value-focused roots at the last two trade deadlines by adding significant talent to their farm system through trades of major league stars nearing free agency”
2023 Orioles' success
The 2023 Orioles' magical season occurred under the Angelos family’s stewardship and was a result of players who survived the rebuild coalescing into one of baseball’s most complete teams.
“The 2023 Orioles’ magical season occurred under the Angelos family’s stewardship and was a result of the players who survived the rebuild and those drafted and acquired during it coalescing into one of the game’s most complete teams”
2024 trade deadline moves
The Orioles traded Joey Ortiz and DL Hall for Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes at the 2024 trade deadline.
“within days, elias traded joey ortiz and dl hall, plus a draft pick, for cy young winner corbin burnes”
2024 trade outcomes
Zach Eflin saved the rotation down the stretch and Trevor Rogers has been the Orioles' best pitcher the last two seasons.
“Zach Eflin saved the rotation down the stretch that year, and trevor rogers has been the orioles’ best pitcher the last two seasons”
2025 team challenges
The Orioles faced a 2025 face-plant out of the starting blocks that cost Brandon Hyde his job.
“a 2025 face-plant out of the starting blocks that cost brandon hyde his job”
2024 trade deadline decisions
The Orioles traded Cedric Mullins after the 2024 season with one year left of club control.
“they ended up trading mullins (and many more) at the deadline that summer”
2025 trade considerations
The Orioles likely explored trading Dean Kremer instead of signing new players for 2025.
“they ended up trading mullins (and many more) at the deadline that summer, and they did well in all of those trades”
Orioles' current strategy
The Orioles extended Pete Alonso and Kyle Bradish instead of trading them for maximum value.
“Instead of entertaining trade offers for bradish this winter, they extended him”
Orioles' future path
The Orioles need to decide how they want to operate and what they want to be great at before 2027.
“I’m watching them and thinking the Orioles need to decide how they want to operate, and what they want to be great at, then get to it. Fast”
Here's the gist
Orioles shifted from transactional roster building to long-term value after 2021 sale, avoiding costly trades while maintaining playoff competitiveness.
