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Why Jared Banner is the perfect fit as Orioles new GM

The Orioles made the right choice regarding their new GM.
ByPat Ragazzo
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Aug 22, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; A Baltimore Orioles logo is seen on an umbrella during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; A Baltimore Orioles logo is seen on an umbrella during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles have hired longtime executive Jared Banner as their next general manager. Banner will work alongside Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias, who has been heavily scrutinized after back-to-back seasons of missing the playoffs. Per the Orioles' press release, Banner will oversee player development, coaching, and performance. He will also help Elias with staffing and acquisitions.

With the Orioles hoping to get back to the postseason in 2027, bringing in Banner to help lead the front office was the right move. We're going to get into the reasons why Banner can be an impactful hire for the Orioles and assist in leading a turnaround.

Why hiring Jared Banner was the right choice for the Orioles

Banner was previously the assistant GM for the Chicago Cubs, which was his role in the last three seasons. The Cubs made the postseason in back-to-back seasons with Banner as one of the AGMs in their front office, snapping a five year drought.

Banner has extensive experience in major league acquisitions, scouting and player development. He knows what it's like to operate in a big market, having spent time with the Boston Red Sox and Mets before joining the Cubs ahead of the 2021 season.

The executive also played a key role in the Cubs acquiring Pete Crow-Armstrong from the New York Mets at the 2021 trade deadline. Banner was the Mets' farm director the season before and was very familiar with Crow-Armstrong's talent and potential from his time in the role. Banner was said to have pushed hard for the Cubs to land Crow-Armstrong, who is now an MVP level player. It's safe to say that trade worked out for Chicago.

Banner clearly has an eye for young talent given his background in player development. He's a great fit for the Orioles, who will have to build a sustainable winner by drafting and developing their next stars. Baltimore also has loads of young talent currently on their roster and in the minors and invested a big contract (five-years, $155 million) in first baseman Pete Alonso last offseason. But the Orioles aren't typically known for spending money, which is why a GM with vast scouting and PD experience makes a ton of sense for the organization.

Banner was one of the finalists for the Athletics' president of baseball operations vacancy, which speaks to his impressive resume in the industry. The A's instead hired Red Sox assistant GM Taylor Smith for the role. Banner will now help lead the Orioles' front office, as they look to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2024.

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