Baltimore Orioles Targeted AL Executive for GM Role, Insider Says

The Baltimore Orioles are in the midst of a quiet but significant leadership change. This past offseason, former general manager Mike Elias got promoted to president of baseball operations, a move that stayed under wraps until it came out on September 11.

With Elias now elevated to a broader executive role and known as the architect of the Orioles’ recent resurgence, the club has been looking for his replacement in the general manager’s seat. That search recently hit a snag when one of their top candidates declined the job.

Mike Elias’ Rise and Impact on the Orioles

Elias took over as general manager in November 2018. He inherited a Baltimore Orioles franchise deep in a rebuild.

Known for his eye for detail and commitment to modern baseball analytics, Elias started shaping a young, dynamic roster built for long-term success. His patient, data-driven approach paid off faster than some expected.

Under his leadership, the club enjoyed standout regular seasons in 2023 and 2024. That’s one of the most successful stretches the Orioles have seen in a while.

His work earned him the MLB Executive of the Year award in 2023. It’s a nod to his knack for finding and developing top-tier talent while building a winning clubhouse culture.

A Quiet Promotion with Big Implications

Front-office promotions usually come with press releases and a bit of noise, but Elias’ move to president of baseball operations this past winter happened quietly. The decision shows Orioles ownership trusts him and wants him shaping the club’s long-term baseball strategy.

But it also opened up a big question: who steps in as Baltimore’s next general manager?

The GM Search and Josh Barfield’s Decision

Since Elias’ promotion, the Orioles have been weighing candidates for the general manager role. They want to keep the front office strong and in sync with the team’s competitive window.

One name popped up quickly: Josh Barfield, assistant general manager of the Chicago White Sox.

Barfield brings a pretty interesting baseball background. He played in the majors before switching to front-office work in 2016, starting as a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He moved up to director of player development, then assistant GM for the White Sox in 2023. Even though the White Sox have struggled on the field, people around baseball respect his eye for talent.

Turning Down Baltimore

The Orioles really wanted Barfield, but things didn’t work out. He reportedly turned down the job, choosing to stay in Chicago and help rebuild the White Sox.

Barfield said he felt loyal to the team that gave him a big leadership role and wanted to “see the job through.” You can’t blame him for wanting to finish what he started.

Where the Orioles Go From Here

With Barfield out of the running, Baltimore’s back to searching. Still, the Orioles remain an appealing spot for top executives.

Elias is steering the ship from the president’s chair, and the roster’s stacked with young stars. Whoever steps in as general manager will walk into a pretty enviable situation.

• A playoff-caliber team with years of control over multiple cornerstone players.
• A proven development system that keeps producing MLB-ready talent.
• Organizational stability with Elias at the top.

The next GM will need to fit into Elias’ vision but also make their own mark on how the team operates. That person’s going to have a real say in trades, free-agent signings, and player development going forward.

The Bigger Picture

In today’s MLB, the president of baseball operations and the general manager work closely together. Their responsibilities often overlap in ways that can get a little confusing if you’re not paying attention.

For Baltimore, this transition feels like a real chance to lock in a leadership team for the future. The Orioles have championship dreams and a roster built to compete for years, so this next front-office hire matters—a lot.

Mike Elias has already helped put the Orioles back on the map in the American League. The new GM won’t need to start from scratch; instead, they’ll be steering a club that’s already right there, just shy of a World Series breakthrough.

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Here is the source article for this story: Baltimore Orioles eyed AL exec for GM job, per insider