Recent coverage of the Baltimore Orioles really points to a big problem spelled “E-L-I-A-S” (“Orioles players react to trade deadline fire sale: ‘Where’d everyone go?’” Aug. 1).
After saying that he wouldn’t “blow up the team,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias did just that. We got nothing but “maybes” for some pretty good players. We should have gotten at least one, maybe two top prospects from the teams with whom we traded. Last year’s off-season did nothing to give us a good starting pitcher. I think Elias thought he’d be able to have an ace (like former Oriole Corbin Burnes) fall into his lap as it did in 2024.
Elias looked like “Wonder Boy” with the drafts that gave us Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday but he had much earlier draft picks each time.
I love Adley, but think Bobby Witt Jr. might have been a better choice (he’s three years younger and an everyday player), and with the recent draft it looks like Adley may be on his way out since we used top draft picks on catchers. David Rubenstein, the team’s principal owner, never played baseball at our alma mater Baltimore City College. He has to rely on Elias’ judgment in transactions rather than fire him.
A very good book just out — “Skipper” by Scott Miller — addresses the fact that you need good scouts and managers who know baseball to go with the analytics of these young Ivy League GMs. Elias should read it, as should Rubenstein. Perhaps then Elias would be better suited for his next job after Rubenstein gets smart enough to fire him.
Really feel badly for season ticketholders spending almost $50,000 for the opportunity to see these Orioles.
— Bill Spencer, Ruxton
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