We, the fans of the Baltimore Orioles, are calling on the front office to hire a General Manager who will break the cycle of "budget" pitching acquisitions and prioritize building a top-tier rotation and a lockdown defense.

While the team has found success in developing young hitters, our recent seasons have been defined by:

• Pitching Inconsistency: In 2026, the team's WHIP and Hits/9 have ranked among the bottom of the league.
• Relatively Passive Offseasons: Despite high-profile signings like Pete Alonso, the starting rotation continues to rely on low-cost veterans and "flyer" signings rather than established aces.
• Defensive Struggles: Baltimore has recently sat in the bottom half of the league in fielding percentage and double plays turned.

Our Demands:

1. Hire a Proven GM: The new hire must have a track record of identifying and acquiring elite arms, moving beyond the "homegrown or bust" mentality.
2. Invest in the Rotation: We demand a commitment to signing top-of-the-rotation starters during free agency, rather than settling for mid-tier options.
3. Modernize the Defense: Prioritize defensive metrics in personnel decisions to support our young pitching staff.

The "process" has laid a foundation, but to win a World Series, we need a front office that aggressively addresses our greatest weaknesses. It’s time to stop talking about "contending" and start making the moves that champions make.

The Hard Truth: As of May 2026, the Orioles' rotation ranks 27th in ERA and 28th in WHIP. We are consistently seeing starters struggle early, highlighted by a league-worst 7.68 ERA in the 2nd inning. Furthermore, our defense—which ranked in the bottom third of the league in Defensive Runs Saved last year—continues to falter, with a team BABIP significantly higher than the league average. We cannot expect to win a championship when we are effectively giving away hits and runs through poor execution and lack of investment in elite talent.

The Solution: We demand a GM who will use our significant resources and "thick pockets" to aggressively pursue elite talent. This includes making competitive offers for top starters like Framber Valdez and Shane Bieber, and prioritizing elite defenders like Harrison Bader to support our pitchers. Settling for veterans like Chris Bassitt—who are currently projected as our best-case scenarios—is no longer acceptable for a team with championship aspirations.

"We call on the front office to hire a GM who will immediately pursue Zac Gallen to anchor our rotation and Harrison Bader to fix our league-bottom outfield defense. The Orioles missed the boat on Framber Valdez; we cannot afford to let the remaining elite talent like Gallen sign elsewhere while we settle for 43-year-old veterans or 'flyer' prospects. Real improvement requires real investment in proven, prime-aged talent."

The fans have stayed patient, but the window to win is now. We deserve a front office that matches the urgency of the fans and the talent of our young core.