Most of us tend to look at the new year as a way to start fresh, a way to start over or reset.
It’s cliche and somewhat cheesy but also sometimes necessary. As a fresh blanket of snow falls on Camden Yards, let’s take a look at why the Orioles should embrace this more than ever before.
The 2023 season’s end left a sour taste. Nobody expected the ALDS to go like it did, with the O’s not winning a single postseason game and all three losses not being particularly close.
There were gaping holes in both experience and depth. We’ve all seen the opinions online about who the Orioles need to add, but I want to spend the next few minutes talking about why it’s time to shift the culture.
First, I want to acknowledge that the postseason really is a roll of the dice. It never seems to be the best team or sometimes even the hottest team. The ball has to bounce your way. That bloop single has to get through.
However, there are things you can do to increase the chances of the dice landing on your number.
Secondly, let’s look at the teams that made deep runs, specifically in 2023. Everything I say will be specific to them, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t apply elsewhere.
The Rangers, Astros, Diamondbacks, and Phillies all had important things in common. They had veterans with vast postseason experience, had young and hungry stars and they all spent money. Let’s look at those three factors and make a case for why the Orioles have to flip a switch in 2024.
Young stars: This is the easy one. The Orioles are so good under the age of 27 that it’s comical.
Between Adley, Gunnar, Grayson, DL and so many more, the young talent is flourishing in Baltimore. It almost makes you forget that the “veteran core” of Tony, Cedric and Hays are all not yet 30. Young stars are not a problem.
Veterans with playoff experience: I’d give the Orioles a ‘good try’ on this one. They brought in Kyle Gibson and Adam Frazier, who both had some but not vast and deep postseason experience. James McCann had been to the postseason with the White Sox in 2020 and played two games as well.
Bringing in veterans on one-year deals who have had brief encounters with the postseason is not going to move the needle in Baltimore come next October.
Now, spending money. Look, we all know this is a sore subject within the walls of Camden Yards (and on X), but the reality is that of the four teams I mentioned above, the Diamondbacks had the lowest payroll at $119.2 million.
We all know the Orioles sit laughably low in payroll rankings, and it’s time to bring that number up to a respectable major league average (around $148 million).
Why did I bring all three of these up? Just like we all want to start fresh with the new year, I believe it is time for the Orioles to philosophically shift in 2024.
The rebuild itself is over. The prospect capital is insane. The fans are back. It’s time to act like one of the best teams in baseball and bring in the pieces that say that.
I understand that GM Mike Elias and company may have their hands tied financially. They can only spend the money given to them. However, it’s time to spend that money.
Extend your stars. Trade for and possibly extend someone for three to five years. I understand how hard it is to give up a top 100 prospect you spent years developing and furthermore spent a 100-plus-loss season to get.
However, you can only have 26 guys in the clubhouse. It’s time to go get the big name. Along with that, it’s time to let some of these guys become major league stars and not sit behind a blockade in Baltimore.
For the 2024 Orioles to do more than they did last year, it’s time for a mindset shift. I’m sure someone out there will see this as an airing of grievances, but the reality is that this is how teams who are sustainably good without unlimited payroll operate. They tank, rebuild and then are able to keep up with the 250-plus-million-dollar a year teams for multiple years.
I am hopeful that the Orioles are ready to take that next step and make many deep October runs for years to come.
What do you think the Orioles’ approach should be moving forward? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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