Lots of questions about Elias, Orioles’ next move

Most people are eager to brag about their job promotions. That’s not the case with Mike Elias, who’s been the Orioles’ president of baseball operations for some time, though when he was promoted isn’t clear.

According to an industry source, who confirmed a report by The Athletic that Elias was promoted from his old job of executive vice president/general manager, the move was made sometime during last offseason.

However, the Orioles website still lists Elias with the title he’s had since he arrived in Baltimore in November 2018.

Before Elias’ appointment was announced, the thinking was that the Orioles were going to have two people in charge of running the franchise, a head of baseball operations and a general manager.

However, Elias sold John and Louis Angelos, who were conducting the search for a replacement for Dan Duquette on his ability to perform both jobs.

Elias inherited a franchise that lost 115 games, a team record in 2018, and even though the Orioles lost 218 games in 2019 and 2021, he maintained the confidence of John Angelos, who was running the team since his father, Peter Angelos, was incapacitated.

By 2022 when Adley Rutschman, the number one overall pick in the 2019 draft reached the majors, the team began to improve rapidly, and with the addition of starter Kyle Bradish and infielder Gunnar Henderson during that season, the Orioles won 83 games, a 31-game turnaround.

More impact players arrived in 2023, and the Orioles won 101 games, their most since 1979 and the American League East.

Elias was named the Executive of the Year and Brandon Hyde, whom Elias selected as manager shortly after his arrival, was voted Manager of the Year.

Though the Orioles were swept in three games by Texas in the American League Division Series, hopes remained high, and the Orioles started quickly in 2024, but had a mediocre second half of the season and lost in two games to Kansas City in the Wild-Card round.

This year, the team was widely expected to rebound and was a consensus choice to reach the postseason for the third straight year.

Instead, the Orioles were stymied by injuries and poor performances, and Elias fired Hyde after the team started 15-28.

After Hyde’s dismissal, there was chatter that perhaps Elias’ job might be in jeopardy, too.

It turns out he was very secure, though the new position and any contract details were never announced. Under Elias, his contract and that of his manager has never been revealed.

With the team on a recent upswing but still far out of the playoff conversation, came word that Elias has a new title and a report that he’s searching for a general manager.

It’s not known the type of executive he’s looking for. The Orioles have only Sig Mejdal, Elias’ close aide who’s the vice president and assistant general manager, and Eve Rosenbaum, an assistant general manager, listed along with him.

Many teams have a head of baseball operations and a general manager. The Chicago Cubs have Jed Hoyer as the president of baseball operations and Carter Hawkins as general manager.

Hawkins is reportedly interviewing for the general manager’s job with the Washington Nationals.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have Andrew Friedman as their president of baseball operations and Brandon Games as their executive vice president and general manager.

The Philadelphia Phillies have David Dombrowski as president of baseball operations and Preston Mattingly as vice president and general manager.

It’s not known how Elias, who has a background in scouting but who’s backed off that when the Orioles’ record improved, would divide the responsibilities.

In recent months, he’s taken fewer road trips, leaving other senior staffers to accompany the team, and though he’s spoken publicly less often this season, is still a regular presence.

Hyde was succeeded on an interim basis by Tony Mansolino, who is 54-49, and the most pressing questions are: When will the team name the new general manager, and will that person have direct input on the manager for 2026 and beyond?

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.