Former MLB executive puts spotlight on Mike Elias and the Orioles' failures

Understandably, Major League Baseball fans would expect their favorite team to win a World Series title after their club experienced years of languishing near the bottom of their division. The Baltimore Orioles fans of 2025 embody this sense of higher expectations. However, the Birds’ slow start to the season somewhat dampened that enthusiasm.

In a recent interview with the sports media, Baltimore Orioles General Manager Mike Elias stated that he had not seen any signs of panic; nevertheless, the team has several concerns to address amid this slow start. According to the Orioles’ GM, while he saw no signs of panic, the front office continues to maintain the same approach. Elias seems to suggest that the Orioles have a plan in place to ensure the team’s success despite experiencing this small setback.

Former Miami Marlins President and current podcaster David Samson responded to the Baltimore Orioles’ plight. In a podcast entitled, “Why are the Baltimore Orioles so bad this year?” Samson provides an executive perspective on the Orioles’ plight. Inside, according to Samson, he would always panic. Outside, however, he would maintain his resolve and possibly deflect to a new topic. Samson highlights the Birds’ talent, which resulted in two playoff appearances over the past two years. Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Cedric Mullins form a nucleus that would—barring injury or losing them to free agency—make for a strong contending team for several years.

Should the Orioles be worried about their slow start in 2025?

However, the Orioles did not count on losing a top pitcher to free agency, not to mention the injury bug that reared its ugly head. After signing a lucrative contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Corbin Burns was lost to free agency. In response, the O’s signed Charlie Morton to a one-year deal and simultaneously acquired Tomoyuki Sugano. But their performances have been subpar. Pitcher Zach Eflin made only one start before being placed on the IL, while Grayson Rodriguez appears to be lost for the season.

With the team starting poorly, Samson declares the number one question the media and the fans ask: “Why aren’t the Orioles extending their young players?” In other words, why aren’t the Baltimore Orioles signing their young players to long-term deals? Samson responds by creating a damned if you do, damned if you don’t scenario. If you sign the young players to long-term deals and the team loses, you’re wasting monetary resources. If you don’t lock in your young players to long-term deals and you’re still losing, the fans and the press will accuse you of being a spendthrift. Samson concludes by advising Elias to address the media and declare: “It's just business!”

What appears to be overlooked in Samson’s argument is that Elias and the Orioles’ front office have a plan to ensure the club remains a contender. To be sure, a talented baseball team gets off to a slow start only to rebound and be in the hunt by the end of the season. The regular season is a long one. While some players move or make decisions that work wonders for the organization, others don’t pan out so well. That’s the nature of this sport we call Major League Baseball. Maybe a better suggestion for Mike Elias is the need to develop a thick skin when times get tough.