Former MLB executive advises Orioles' Mike Elias after Brandon Hyde decision

On a recent episode of “Foul Territory,” former MLB general manager Jim Bowden discussed the recent firing of Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. Bowden texted Orioles GM Mike Elias about the difficult decision he was about to make, but he did what had to be done.

Bowden suggested that it is not about who you fire, but who you hire to replace the recently dismissed manager. According to Bowden, this new manager should impact the current roster. However, the former executive was unaware that Elias had selected third base coach Tony Mansolino as the Orioles’ interim manager for the rest of the season.

Bowden highlighted two factors that should occur when hiring a new manager. First, you should win more games with the new manager than with the previous one. Also, you are making the change now to prepare for next year because the current approach is not working, and you believe it will not work. The Orioles have little or no chance of turning their season around. What disturbed Bowden was that when Mansolino was asked what message he had for the team, the O’s interim replied he did not have one.

Bowden turned to what he would do in Elias’s situation. He said the Orioles do not have players in the correct positions. Bowden suggested Gunnar Henderson should be at third base, Jackson Holliday at shortstop, and Jordan Westburg at second base, and that Coby Mayo and Heston Kjerstad should play daily to see if they add value to the club.

Finally, Bowden said he would hire a manager outside the organization to give Baltimore a different approach, strategy, and unbiased opinion. Replacements may include 2023 NL Manager of the Year Skip Schumaker or A.J. Pierzynski, who would bring the edge the clubhouse currently needs.

Mike Elias should take Jim Bowden's advice with a grain of salt

To be clear, most of Bowden’s analysis of the Orioles’ predicament is valid. However, his critique should be viewed with caution. In 1993, Bowden hired Tony Perez as the Cincinnati Reds’ new manager after the departure of Lou Piniella. He fired the popular Perez 44 games into the regular season and replaced him with former New York Mets manager Davey Johnson.

The Reds were 20-24 when Johnson replaced Perez. They went 53-65 the rest of the season. Johnson, a manager hired outside the Reds' organization, did not make the impact Bowden hoped for.

Additionally, Bowden was known for making controversial trades. In 1998, he traded All-Star closer Jeff Shaw to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Paul Konerko. Konerko played 26 games for the Reds before being traded to the Chicago White Sox the following offseason. He made six All-Star appearances as a member of the White Sox. Bowden's suggestions, though valid, require healthy skepticism.

Elias made decisions during the offseason trying to improve the Orioles’ chances of winning the World Series. Unfortunately for the Birds’ GM, they did not pan out. The injury bug revealed the club’s lack of depth, and their pitching needs an overhaul. Baltimore's poor start of the 2025 season has led to Elias being on the hot seat.

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