Everything has been going wrong with the Baltimore Orioles. With new faces and fresh energy, hope was very high in Charm City this spring. And the team began to envision a future that offered October glory. But as the season moved passed its early stages, all that’s left is disappointment. The front office is facing a harsh reckoning for its big gamble that turned heads.
The Orioles entered this season with renewed ambition and a rebuilt roster. The front office signed seven free agents this year. The intention was clear: they were aiming for a deep playoff run. But just 41 games in, that investment is already looking shaky. With a 15-26 record and the worst run differential in the American League at minus-70, the team is 11 games under .500, their worst start in years. For a team that spent a combined $105.25 million on free agents, that’s not a stat they can be proud of. And among all the signings, one stands out not just for its size, but for the gamble it represented.
Almost half of that $100+ investment was on the outfielder Tyler O’Neill. They gave him a three-year, $49.5 million deal with a player opt-out after 2025. This was the largest deal for any Oriole free agents since 2018. They bet on his power performance, especially against lefties. But was it worth it? According to The Baltimore Sun’s Matt Weyrich, the gamble is backfiring hard. With O’Neill back on the injured list for the 15th time in his career and delivering dismal returns at the plate, what once looked like a power move now screams miscalculation.
When Anthony Santander left the Orioles for the Blue Jays, they hoped O’Neill could fill his shoes. But so far, his situation is presenting a conundrum for the team. Weyrich’s analysis reveals how it all went south after a promising opening day; he is batting just .197 with only two home runs and a .634 OPS.
And it gets worse when you look at his splits against lefties: a brutal .087 average and .247 OPS, with zero home runs. He missed a couple of weeks with neck inflammation, and even though he has been back on the field, his swing and range of motion in his neck have been affected by it. Everyone knew he came with a baggage of injury, but now that risk is turning into reality.
What does this mean for the Orioles? For a team that never dipped below .500 last season, this type of start hits hard. It’s their worst since 2022, and the fallout is real. O’Neill’s situation puts the Orioles in a tough spot. And he’s got a player opt-out after the season. But let’s be honest, unless his performance improves by leaps and bounds, he’s probably not using it. That was the perfect deal for both parties.
With July nearing, the Orioles could try to salvage what they can from a costly misfire before his value dips even further. Making things worse, Baltimore has come under even severe scrutiny after their recent embarrassing loss.
Twins’ doubleheader sweep salt on Orioles’ wounds
So far, the Orioles haven’t been able to turn things around this season. And guess what, fans are getting more frustrated. At this point, there is no one defending the management. They had many embarrassing losses this season, and Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins is a fresh wound.
The Twins faced the Orioles without some of the important mainstays in their lineup and without their manager. Yet the Orioles couldn’t beat them. Minnesota powered past them for a doubleheader sweep, raising their winning streak to ten. The team’s nosedive has been blamed on GM Mike Elias. Several misfires and miscalculations have cost the team dearly.
Christian Vázquez’s clutch three-run homer in the fourth inning of Game 1 proved to be the turning point for the Twins. It erased an early 3-0 deficit and put them ahead for good. The Twins’ offense continued to roll behind Vázquez’s heroics, with starter Bailey Ober settling down after a shaky third inning and the bullpen shutting down the Orioles to secure a 6-3 victory. This win set the tone for the doubleheader sweep.
In Game 2, the Orioles fought back fiercely, scoring six runs in the third inning to take a 6-4 lead and briefly seize momentum. However, Baltimore’s offense stalled after that surge, unable to add any more runs.
The performance of players like Charlie Morton, Yennier Cano, and Adley Rutschman has been disappointing this season. And yes, O’Neill is definitely on that list too. As losses mount and the trade season approaches, they can’t afford to hold on to key players. A more plausible scenario is selling and rebuilding the team, taking advantage of their youthful lineup. The Orioles still have time to turn things around if they are willing to improve their game.
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