Orioles manager admits offseason truth fans have been screaming about

With the end of the regular season within shouting distance, the focus for the Baltimore Orioles has shifted toward the offseason. An offseason where the Orioles will be hiring a general manager to work under Mike Elias and will be in search of a new manager. Current interim manager Tony Mansolino is expected to be a strong candidate for the job and is speaking like he will be involved in the team's offseason decisions.

Already reflecting on the season, Mansolino mentioned that there was underperformance littered across the Orioles' roster, but above all else, the lack of pitching has really hurt the team.

Not replacing Corbin Burnes and depending on an oft-injured Grayson Rodriguez will certainly have that effect on anyone who has a degree of understanding when it comes to constructing a Major League pitching staff. Nevertheless, Mansolino made it sound like the plan is for the Orioles to address their pitching need this offseason.

This offseason flaw couldn’t be clearer after Orioles manager’s comments

“For me, looking at this group right now, yes, you need to go get more pitching. That’s probably the most visual thing. But we have to get these young hitters back to the standard they set for themselves.”

The good news is that the Orioles don't need to entirely start from scratch. Kyle Bradish's return to the rotation during the second half has reminded Orioles fans that he is capable of being a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, and Trevor Rogers would be a clear candidate for the American League Cy Young Award this season had he made enough starts.

Bradish and Rogers are important building blocks when constructing the Orioles' 2026 pitching staff, but that can't lessen the urgency. If the Orioles are going to turn their 2025 misfortunes around, there is no other option but for the team to add a frontline starting pitcher this offseason.

The concern is that the front office won't learn the lesson from the offseason. Elias and Co. knew that they had to bring Burnes back, but instead, had limitations that led to the veteran starting pitcher inking a deal with the Baltimore Orioles.

It's further proof that the Orioles have become masters at saying the right things, but their action almost never backs it up. Hopefully, it changes this offseason; if not, the sequel to this season could be just as bad.

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