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Orioles mercifully end general manager search by adding Cubs exec to Mike Elias' front office

ByEric Cole
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Dec 10, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Baltimore Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias talks on the set of MLB Network at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Dec 10, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Baltimore Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias talks on the set of MLB Network at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Baltimore Orioles have been searching for a general manager to pair with front office head Mike Elias for what seems like ages. No one is operating under the delusion that Elias will actually cede any front office control to the new GM, which is probably why it has taken Baltimore so long to find someone that would actually take the job.

However, the tone around that search has changed significantly once the regular season ends. Elias is at least saying that he wants to bring in different voices to help get the Orioles on track, even if the results aren't likely to change very much.

Well, that search came to an end Monday, as it was revealed that the Orioles are hiring Jared Banner. Banner served as assistant general manager for the Cubs and has had a lengthy front office career with stops with the Mets and Red Sox as well.

Orioles to hire Theo Epstein protege Jared Banner as their next general manager

Banner's background has centered around player development, so his presence could hopefully help the Orioles maximize their young talent that has struggled with consistency the last few years. Banner has long been seen as a future general manager, although many thought that he needed a bit more seasoning for taking a top job. In that sense, being able to work under Elias could be an ideal fit for both sides.

It certainly doesn't hurt that Banner has made his mark in some pretty high-profile front offices. In addition to being a long-time member of Boston's front office where he worked under Theo Epstein and Dave Dombrowski, he spent a couple seasons with the Mets before finally moving over to the Cubs in 2021.

Just like that, the Orioles have their new GM. As to whether or not it will change anything about how the team operates, that depends entirely on how much control Elias is willing to give up and if Banner would actually do anything contrary to the current vision for the team.

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