Cedric Mullins may have exposed Orioles’ biggest clubhouse issue

The Baltimore Orioles are the biggest disappointment of the 2025 season, and that came to a culmination at the MLB trade deadline when the Orioles shipped out just about any piece on their roster that wasn't anchored down. In hindsight, it's clear why things fell off the rails for the Orioles this season. Between an unstable starting rotation and regression throughout the roster, the Orioles ultimately were destined to fail this season.

As is usually the case post-deadline, once players are separated from the situation, they often speak more candidly about why things went the way they did. That was the case for Cedric Mullins, the longest tenured Oriole that was moved at the deadline, who spoke openly with Danielle Allentuck of the Baltimore Banner about the mess that is 2025 for the Orioles.

“Some guys we were expecting to have pretty good years for us coming up went on the shelf pretty early,” Mullins said. “Kind of created a hole and created an expectation for a lot of other guys to step into pretty big roles. It’s something that some guys can do, and it just didn’t really work out in that way this time around.”

Orioles clubhouse may not be as stable as fans thought after Mullins hint

Injuries certainly derailed any chance that the Orioles had at starting the season with momentum. Grayson Rodriguez wasn't even on the Opening Day roster after suffering an injury during spring training, Zach Eflin's injury added to the chaos that was the Orioles' early-season rotation, and Tyler O'Neill, the prize free-agent signing, also spent time on the IL during the early months of the season.

Sprinkle in more offensive regression from Adley Rutschman, inconsistency from Jackson Holliday, and not quite the same power output from Gunnar Henderson, and there wasn't a path for the offense to overcome the shortcomings of the pitching staff.

Mullins also didn't break any news when he suggested there might have been a leadership void within the Orioles' clubhouse.

“I think guys naturally step into those roles just depending on where you are with the team, with the organization,” Mullins said. “Some guys take the challenge. It’s not easy to hold everyone accountable inside the clubhouse, it’s not easy to build guys up that might not be in the right space mentally; it’s not easy to just take charge in all aspects and on top of staying on top of your game as well.”

The Orioles fired Brandon Hyde pretty early in the season, the first sign that the clubhouse may not have been on solid ground. But things could be looking up. Tony Mansolino seems to have his supporters to get the permanent label, and there have been some signs that the direction of the organization could be turning around. The biggest sign is the contract extension for rookie Samuel Basallo. A sign that the Orioles are ready to correct mistakes that set the stage for this season's failures.

More Orioles News from Birds Watcher