The Baltimore Orioles have had a disappointing season thus far. They’re 19-36 and sitting in last place in the AL East. This isn’t where anyone expected to find the Orioles after back-to-back playoff appearances the past two years.
They’ve taken a step back in part due to some key offseason losses. Anthony Santander and Corbin Burnes were major contributors to the team’s recent success, but both left in free agency. Their absence has been felt across the board — and the struggles led to the firing of manager Brandon Hyde. Now, attention turns to who might lead the Orioles next.
Who Will Lead the Next Era for the Baltimore Orioles?
It’s never too early to start talking about potential names to replace Hyde. Jon Heyman joined MLB Network to discuss some early candidates for the Orioles’ managerial job. He mentioned Ryan Flaherty, David Ross, and Skip Schumaker.
.@JonHeyman mentions three names as top candidates to take the Orioles’ managerial opening 👀#Birdland | #MLBCentral pic.twitter.com/A40o8HpoBg
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 29, 2025
The Orioles aren’t expected to make an official hire until after the season, but all three names bring something to the table. The one that stands out most is Flaherty, a former Orioles utility man. He played in Baltimore from 2012 to 2017, and that connection to the city could work in his favor.
Flaherty is currently the bench coach for the Chicago Cubs, and that experience could earn him his first shot as a manager — possibly with the Orioles or somewhere else.
Ross, meanwhile, is the former Cubs manager who went 262-284 over four seasons before being let go. Still, plenty of people around the league believe he’ll get another shot. The Orioles need someone who can re-energize the clubhouse, and Ross has the kind of personality that could do that.
Bats Cold, Arms Colder: Orioles Feeling the Heat
If you look around the American League, one reason the Orioles are falling behind is simple: Their roster doesn’t measure up to the competition. The pitching staff has struggled all year — only one starter has an ERA under 5.00.
On top of that, some of the team’s top hitters are having down years. That includes Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson. For a young team like this, it’s tough to stay competitive when your stars aren’t producing.
While this season will likely end in disappointment, the offseason presents a chance for a reset. With a new manager expected to take over, the Orioles could head in a fresh direction. They clearly needed a new voice in the clubhouse — and soon, we’ll find out who that is.