The latest episode of the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast is now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you subscribe as well! You can also use the player at this link to listen, if you don’t use Spotify or Apple for podcasts.
This week, host Darragh McDonald is joined by Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias to discuss…
- Elias’s promotion from general manager to president of baseball operations (1:45)
- Why the Orioles underperformed in 2025 (3:30)
- The club’s lack of investment in free agent pitching (5:25)
- The decision making about playing time for prospects when they don’t find immediate big league success (9:20)
- How Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo can co-exist on the roster (12:35)
- Getting six prospects from the Padres in the Ryan O’Hearn and Ramón Laureano trade (14:50)
- Trading Bryan Baker to the Rays for a draft pick (16:55)
- Seeing the potential in O’Hearn before his breakout (18:45)
Plus, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors joins the show to discuss…
- The Cardinals going into a rebuild, which should put a bunch of interesting names on the trade block (21:50)
- The Rangers parting ways with Bruce Bochy with questions about how aggressively they will be trying to contend in 2026 (33:20)
- The Mets just missing the postseason with Pete Alonso becoming a free agent again (42:10)
- The Nationals hiring Paul Toboni as their new president of baseball operations (52:45)
- The Blue Jays putting Alek Manoah on waivers, who is claimed by the Braves (1:00:55)
Check out our past episodes!
- The Tigers And Astros Try To Hang On, And Brewers’ Rotation Issues – listen here
- The Struggling Mets, Bryce Eldridge, And Trey Yesavage – listen here
- Talking Mariners With Jerry Dipoto – listen here
The podcast intro and outro song “So Long” is provided courtesy of the band Showoff. Check out their Facebook page here!
Photo courtesy of Tim Heitman, Imagn Images
Did Elias watch Crochet pitch a gem in primetime and still think hoarding prospects is brilliant?
Did you watch the O’s offense hit .215 in the second half and think that their pitching is even relevant to the wider issue of the whole team sucking?
Burnes pitched a gem in game 1 of the WC last year and the O’s offense put up *checks notes* no runs
Or did he think it’s risky for post injured pitcher may not be worth the risk for 2-3 cheap future stars? Mayo and basallo would have had to be sent in a package plus some pitching. Is 2/9th of a future starting lineup regulars worth that risk on a one year deal as no guarantee he would have wanted to stay in Baltimore.
Yes it worked out well and Sox had the money and agreement to sign long term. I still wouldn’t have don’t it at that time.
Hard to say what exactly it would’ve been. Kjerstad was very highly valued last year. I think one of Mayo or Basallo would’ve had to go with him plus some lower prospects.
I’d obviously deal Mayo and Kjerstad + for Crochet if we could do that over. But we just don’t know. The Sox could’ve loved the RS package and they would’ve preferred those guys regardless.
They got 2 top 50 guys. A high minors prospect who is currently starting in their infield & a hard throwing relief prospect who looked good in his debut.
Kjerstad was beaned in head by yanks and dealing with likely concussion issues since. Likely take 2 years to get back to normal if ever…
If mayo hits 30+ hrs the next 5 years is that worth 1 yr of chrochet?
It was at least 2 of Crochet. Is 6 years of Stowers worth 2 of Rogers?
I’ll take 2 of Crochet over Mayo—yeah. I hope we choose to sign Rogers up longer too.
Is Mayo going to hit 30 bombs while hitting .230 with a .300 OBP while playing below average 1B D?
Because he needs to do more than just show the power he did this year. 30 HR’s doesn’t mean much if the rest of the profile looks like that. But hopefully he continues to put it together. He looked much better in the last couple weeks.
Progressed to hit 300 in final.month of year…
In the supposed “competitive window”, you go for it. Elias has demonstrated more often than not that he’s content being “good enough” and will not take big risks, he will make smaller moves.
Elias’ 2024-25 winter shut the window on 2025 by not getting the starting pitching needed and not getting an effective manager/coaching staff. Morton losing his first 7 starts, the desperation pickup of Gibson lost 4 more, and no back up plan was most of the reason why the team started 16-34. Not replacing Hyde and other coaches after the team closed 2024 at 34-38 with several young hitters regressing and then doing even worse to start the season is the remainder.
In 2022, the team was a few over .500 and just a couple games out of the WC slot at the deadline – he sold. We’ll never know.
That offseason, knowing the starting pitching was inadequate, his decision was: obtain Cole Irvin (!?!?!)
In 2023, he made one move (Flaherty) to help the starting pitching. It didn’t work out. Yes, the team won 103 games. But they had tremendous health, a crazy 1-run game record, and RISP and clutch stats that were way above seasonal averages. Neither Bradish nor Rodriguez has reproduced their 2nd half 2023 results since, Wells not healthy for a sustained stretch (and I don’t count 15-9 Gibson because that was a borderline #5 starter propped up by tremendous run support)
That offseason, he picked up Burnes. That was the bold move needed. But only for 1 year.
In 2024, I think he tried at the deadline. Eflin was good down the stretch. Rogers was not. Soto and Dominguez were ok but not great. It cost prospects. They made the playoffs but the 2nd half fade continued. How well Stowers did this year and looks to do in the future, Norby being a starter and starting to turn it around – right now it makes those moves look worse.
Last offseason was a disaster. Only Laureano, who was more of an afterthought, was a plus. Yes, they “spent money” but it was ~56M on Morton, Sugano, Sanchez, O’Neill, and Mateo, all of whom made the team much worse than default, none of whom should be on the team next year (they’re stuck with O’Neill though)
This deadline was a fire sale. There are no other words. Teams offered grab bags of primarily guys below AA and he went for it. He traded guys who had team options AND primarily got guys who won’t help the team in 2025 or 2026 (maybe 1 or 2 guys like Foster. Maybe. If they keep him on the 40-man). Trading succeeding players for guys who don’t have a chance of helping the team for at least a couple years is the definition of fire sale.
Guys like Henderson, Cowser, Rutschman, Westburg, Mayo, Kjerstad, and Holliday obviously have the talent, but for most of them to languish if not regress after 1-2 years, or even fall flat at the MLB level shows something is really wrong at the MLB level. Yet, Hyde stayed this year, he was replaced with basically Hyde in another shirt, the coaches stayed.
I would be optimistic if approach/coaching changes are made and needed high level acquisitions are done. They have the means and talent. I don’t think Elias will make the big moves necessary, but playing wait and see this winter.
Really enjoying MLBTR’s getting these MLB executives on the podcasts, great addition to an already great podcast!!!
I agree, and props to the executives themselves (notwithstanding the criticism at times) for also stopping by to chat it up.
@stb2828 – I cannot imagine that any actual front office executive would pay even a moment’s attention to the armchair GM types on here and elsewhere that prattle on and on about how they know so much more than the team’s in question.
Steinbrenner – just like your screen name, I don’t think the ego of any of these execs is affected one iota by armchair GMs on here, many of whom would have had the 2025 Orioles as a playoff team if in their position
“as front office work becomes more demanding”
laughable. It’s become more selective, not more demanding. Plenty of people crunch these numbers for free. It’s not particularly hard.
It’s like playing first base
It’s all about the footwork.
No, I think he means you need to be tall and left-handed with power
The state of the Orioles is pretty straightforward at present: Maryland
Oh damn, I didnt see your comment Dumpster. Great minds thibk…ah never mind.
Good interview with Mike Elias. Wish Mike were a bit less guarded/professional PoBO with his answers, but it’s understandable/predictable for someone in his position. Interesting nonetheless, and appreciated for the interview and stimulating questions. Thanks Darragh, and good luck as a GM candidate. Hope you like Old Bay, blue crabs, and Natty Bo.
I’ve seen Miss America candidates go further out on a limb than Elias.
Thornton — thumbs up for the cheeky comment, even though you and I have polar opposite opinions on Elias. As soon as Santa Claus retires, Mike Elias is industry consensus’ top replacement. 😁
Os – we might disagree but your opinions are never unjustified! It will be a fun offseason for sure.
I’m in my 50s and can still dial it up into the 60s at the state fair fast pitch booth, I was hoping Elias would offer me a roster spot next March.
The state of the Orioles is Maryland.
Should be more concerned of the state of the Nationals
the more i hear Elias talk the more I think he is a fraud. Listen to Jason La Confora on 1057 (whether you like him or not) and he will articulate it for you. The eye test on Elias isn’t even a passing grade.
Tiberius – see my post above. I agree, and he would have to undo a lot this winter for me to think otherwise.
His grade is F as a GM. Excellent as a position player scout only
Hoarding prospects is profitable. Bottom line. Winning is secondary. Or perhaps it is third or even further down the line. To owners, these are entertainment dollars. Do not be confused with what they say. watch what they do.
Watch as payrolls are rolled back. This will be a calculated move by owners to get the upper hand in negotiating the next CBA.