The Baltimore Orioles have officially moved on from manager Brandon Hyde after over six years at the helm. With the team stumbling to a 15–28 start and sitting 10.5 games behind the division-leading Yankees, the decision wasn’t a surprise. Still, many see Hyde as more of a scapegoat than the root of the problem.
Though Hyde bears some responsibility for the team’s struggles, deeper organizational issues helped doom his tenure. Here are three key figures whose shortcomings played a bigger role in the Orioles’ downfall and ultimately Hyde’s dismissal:
1. Charlie Morton – A Costly Misfire in Free Agency
Baltimore brought in 41-year-old Charlie Morton on a $15 million deal, hoping he’d be a stabilizing force in the rotation. Instead, he’s posted an abysmal 8.25 ERA and a 0-7 record across 11 appearances, showing clear signs of decline. Originally expected to help fill the void left by Corbin Burnes, Morton has been one of the team’s biggest liabilities and a symbol of the Orioles’ failed offseason.
2. Mike Elias – The Architect of a Flawed Roster
GM Mike Elias deserves much of the blame for the Orioles’ collapse. After letting Corbin Burnes leave in free agency over financial concerns, Elias replaced him with Morton and gave his first multi-year deal to Tyler O’Neill—a signing that’s backfired badly. Despite having new ownership and resources, Elias has remained overly cautious, failing to build around the team’s promising young core with meaningful investments. His passive approach has left the roster hollow and underprepared.
3. Adley Rutschman – The Star Who Stalled
Once seen as a franchise cornerstone, catcher Adley Rutschman has taken a major step back in 2025. Through 41 games, he’s hitting just .214 with a .654 OPS—far from his All-Star form. While he’s still a defensive asset, the Orioles expected him to be a game-changing offensive force. His drop in production reflects the larger issue with Baltimore’s development of its young stars, aside from Gunnar Henderson. Rutschman’s regression symbolizes the unfulfilled potential of the Hyde era.
In the end, Hyde paid the price, but these deeper failures in roster construction, player development, and offseason decision-making are what truly derailed Baltimore’s season. Whether a new manager can turn things around remains to be seen.
