Mike Elias has become one of the most polarizing figures in Baltimore sports.
Depending on who you ask, he is either the executive responsible for rebuilding the Baltimore Orioles or the man who failed to capitalize on one of baseball’s most talented young cores.
Elias is one of the better executives in Major League Baseball, according to his fellow GM colleagues and analysts around the baseball world. That does not mean he is perfect or that every decision deserves praise. He has made mistakes, as nearly every executive does, but it is important to remember the state of the organization when he arrived.
When Elias was hired in November 2018, Baltimore was coming off a franchise-record 115 losses. The organization lacked the talent, depth and infrastructure needed to compete consistently at the major-league level. Five years later, the Orioles won 101 games and captured the American League East title, earning Elias 2023 Executive of the Year honors.
The last two seasons have been disappointing, no question, but those struggles should not erase the overall health of the organization and progress made under Elias. Let’s evaluate his tenure across six major categories.
DRAFTING: B
Drafting is difficult to evaluate because prospects develop at different rates, and context matters when assessing individual selections. Elias has shown an impressive ability to identify talent, but his record at the top of the draft has been inconsistent.
Jackson Holliday and Colton Cowser still have time to establish themselves as everyday players in the O’s lineup, but Heston Kjerstad has been a significant disappointment. All three were top-five picks, leaving considerable value on the table if they fail to meet expectations.
Elias has made up for some of those shortcomings by finding talent throughout the draft. Gunnar Henderson, selected 42nd overall in 2019, is the best example. He became the American League Rookie of the Year in 2023 and remains the franchise’s cornerstone at shortstop, despite back-to-back subpar seasons.
Other notable selections include current big-leaguers Kyle Stowers (2019, 71st overall) and Coby Mayo (2020, 103rd overall), along with fast-rising top prospects like outfielder Nate George (2024, 489th overall), infielder Jaiden Lo Re (2025, 154th overall) and left-hander Caden Hunter (2025, 184th overall), to name a few.
Elias deserves credit for finding value beyond the early rounds, even if his highest selections have not consistently delivered.
TRADES: A
Elias has been one of baseball’s better trading executives. His acquisition of Corbin Burnes prior to the 2024 season stands out as a major move that brought Baltimore an established ace without sacrificing its key young position players.
The Shane Baz trade last offseason could also become a significant acquisition, although the volume of prospects surrendered makes it one worth monitoring. For the 2026 season, Baz posted an ERA of 4.11 and WHIP of 1.38 while tossing 13 quality starts in 31 appearances on the mound.
Elias has also excelled at smaller-scaled deals. Acquiring Anthony Nunez from the New York Mets in 2025 for half a season of Cedric Mullins brought Baltimore a reliever with future closer potential. The Blaze Alexander trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which raised questions at the time, has also paid dividends, as well as dealing Taylor Ward to the Seattle Mariners for the final two months of the 2026 season in exchange for three pitchers, including Alex Hoppe.
However, the Dylan Bundy trade with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 remains one of Elias’ best moves, as it ultimately brought Kyle Bradish to Baltimore.
Bryan Baker is one of the few blemishes on his record. Although Baker struggled in 2025 after being traded, he has since developed into one of baseball’s best closers with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The decision to trade Adley Rutschman to the division rival Boston Red Sox could ultimately define Elias’ tenure, however. It is a ruthless business, and if Baltimore ends up losing that deal in the end, the consequences could be significant.
FREE AGENT SIGNINGS: C-
This is the area where Elias deserves the most criticism.
Pete Alonso has been the clear success, carrying much of the weight in this category. His production has been a major boost to the Orioles’ lineup and overall team chemistry, but there have not been enough comparable successes.
The 2025 offseason was particularly frustrating. Tyler O’Neill was expected to provide a dependable veteran bat, especially against left-handed pitching, but the signing failed to deliver the anticipated results.
Baltimore also appeared reluctant to make significant financial commitments, particularly when it comes to starting pitching, signing aging veterans like Jordan Lyles (one-year, $7 million), Kyle Gibson (one-year, $10 million), Tomoyuki Sugano (one-year, $13 million), Charlie Morton (one-year, $15 million) and Chris Bassitt (one-year, $18.5 million) to short-term contracts. That hesitation contributed to the Orioles taking a significant step backward.
If Baltimore wants to return to contention, it must become more effective at identifying and signing free agents who can address its biggest needs. This is something fans in Birdland are hoping new general manager Jared Banner can assist with this offseason and beyond.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: B-
Player development remains one of the most confusing aspects of the Orioles organization.
Baltimore has done an excellent job getting prospects to the big leagues, where many initially succeed. However, several players, including Cowser, Henderson and Holliday, have struggled to maintain their early momentum as opponents adjust.
The Orioles transformed its farm system into one of baseball’s most respected pipelines, ranking among the top systems for several consecutive years. Even in 2026, outlets such as FanGraphs have ranked the system as high as second in baseball.
Baltimore deserves its credit for developing talent in the minors and preparing players for the major leagues. Plus, the organization has also modernized its approach to analytics, addressing a significant weakness under the previous regime.
The biggest concern is sustaining that success once prospects reach the majors. Getting players there is important, but helping them remain productive is what separates good development systems from great ones.
INTERNATIONAL POOL: A-
Before Elias arrived, Baltimore’s international scouting operation was underdeveloped after years of neglect. Under his leadership, the Orioles invested more heavily in international recruitment.
Samuel Basallo is one of the clearest examples of that investment paying off. Signed out of the Dominican Republic, Basallo developed into one of the organization’s most valuable young players and secured a long-term commitment shortly after making his big-league debut in 2025.
Top prospects such as the switch-hitting Aron Estrada (The Battery’s No. 2 prospect) and left-hander Luis De León (The Battery’s No. 14 prospect) also represent the progress made in this area since Elias was hired.
Building a successful international operation takes years of investment and patience. Elias, alongside O’s vice president of international scouting and operations Koby Perez, deserves considerable credit for expanding the organization’s reach and improving its ability to identify talent beyond the MLB Draft.
OVERALL GRADE: C
Elias inherited an organization in freefall and transformed it into a legitimate contender, even if that success was short-lived. The Orioles’ recent struggles are disappointing, and the 2025 offseason stands out as a significant missed opportunity.
Elias remains one of baseball’s better talent evaluators. His work in the draft, player development and international scouting helped restore the overall health of the organization, while his trade record has been impressive. However, talent evaluation alone is not enough, as an executive must also construct a roster capable of sustained success.
Elias has demonstrated that he can rebuild a franchise from the ground up. Now, he must prove that he can turn that foundation into a consistent winner. Two postseason appearances in eight years is not going to cut it with the Charm City faithful.
For now, Elias earns a C for his efforts. At the end of the day, the Orioles have not come close to reaching the ultimate goal; the World Series. Until that opportunity arises, he receives an average rating.
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