Showalter's tenure with the Orioles saw the team make three trips to the playoffs between '12-16GETTY IMAGES
The Orioles are not retaining Exec VP/Baseball Operations Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter after the "worst season in team history," marking the "end of an era -- and the continuation of a rebuilding effort," according to a front-page piece by Encina & Meoli of the BALTIMORE SUN. The Orioles said that they "would hire an executive from outside the organization to lead baseball operations" who will "have the final determination on all baseball matters." Orioles Dir of Player Development Brian Graham "will oversee baseball operations on an interim basis," and VP/Baseball Operations Brady Anderson and Scouting Dir Gary Rajsich "also remain" with the team. Duquette and Showalter, who were both in the last years of their contracts, "led the Orioles to three playoff appearances" from '12-16, but the club "sank to a team-record 115 losses this past season." A source said that team ownership met with Showalter late last week "to discuss his future, and a variety of other roles within the organization were discussed." However, talks about "another potential role never progressed" (BALTIMORE SUN, 10/4). In DC, Dave Sheinin writes there had been "speculation within the industry that Duquette might survive as GM," as he presided over a "large-scale sell-off of star players at the July 31 trade deadline." While the team’s ownership situation "remains in flux, with no clear sign of an organizational hierarchy or philosophy from the Angelos sons -- or even a strongly declared intention to remain as its owners -- the team must now replace the entire top tier of its management structure" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/4).
IS THIS BRADY'S BUNCH? The SUN's Meoli reported Graham, in being handed control of baseball operations, will "assume added responsibilities during a pivotal time while the organization searches for a new head." He will be the "point person for all major league baseball matters for any baseball-related issue" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 10/3). Meanwhile, THE ATHLETIC's Dan Connolly noted Anderson is the "guy whom we all expected" to succeed Duquette and oversee baseball ops. The inclusion of Anderson on the team's official release announcing the Duquette and Showalter moves gives the "impression he's sticking around" in '19, as does his "strong relationship with the Angelos family." However, the release’s wording "seems clear" in that the new hire -- from outside the organization -- is the "one with 'final determination on all baseball matters.'" Anybody who will "consider agreeing to the newly available top executive position with the Orioles needs to know what Anderson’s future role is." The public perception is that Anderson "has veto power in baseball matters," and that hierarchy "must be spelled out immediately to all prospective candidates" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/3).
TAKING THE FALL: In Baltimore, Peter Schmuck wrote the Orioles owe Showalter a "tremendous debt of gratitude for dragging it out of a 14-year losing streak that sullied the reputation" of Owner Peter Angelos and what had been "one of the cornerstone franchises" in the AL. This was "about a manager having the worst season in the history of this franchise and undoubtedly was also about a long-running power struggle with Duquette that was not decided in his favor." However, it is "important to understand Showalter was the human sacrifice that allows this team to give the impression of a fresh start" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 10/3). CBSSN's Adam Schein said Showalter was the "only thing right" with the team, and that he "gave the Orioles credibility." He added, "The Angelos family needs to get out of the baseball business. It is sad what has happened to the Orioles. ... They have great baseball fans, it's a great baseball town, great baseball town, great baseball tradition. The Angelos family, they have have no idea what they are doing" ("Time to Schein," CBSSN, 10/3).
IT STARTS ON THE FARM: MLB Network’s Peter Gammons said the Orioles have "got to realize you need to spend money on the farm system and draft." Gammons: "They have not drafted at all well. They really need an organizational overhaul” (“The Rundown,” MLB Net, 10/3).ESPN's Mark Teixeira said, "The Orioles are going to have a major rebuild here. They're awful, their minor leagues are barren, and they have a long rebuild" ("Baseball Tonight," ESPN, 10/3).
