Orioles Promote Matt Blood Among Multiple Front Office Executives

The Baltimore Orioles are making waves this offseason—and not just on the field. The front office has seen a flurry of promotions, shaking up the leadership structure in a big way.

Speculation is swirling about potential free-agent signings and roster moves. From changes in player development oversight to rumors about big-name pitching targets, Baltimore seems set for an intriguing 2025 campaign.

Let’s dig into the Orioles’ recent moves and what they might mean for the future.

Front Office Promotions Signal Strategic Growth

The Orioles’ leadership transition starts with Matt Blood’s promotion to vice president of player and staff development. He’ll now support not just player development, but also sports medicine and major league staff collaboration.

Blood joined Baltimore in 2019 and has already left a mark, previously serving as vice president of player development and domestic scouting. He’s definitely become a central figure in the organization’s growth.

Brendan Fournie has also moved up, now serving as assistant general manager. He’ll oversee baseball economics, advanced scouting, and salary arbitration.

Those areas are crucial for keeping a competitive roster while managing payroll. The Orioles seem to be doubling down on efficiency and smart planning.

Additional Leadership Changes Strengthen Infrastructure

The Orioles didn’t just promote their top executives. They’ve also boosted several others to reinforce their talent pipeline:

• Will Robertson – Vice president of domestic scouting
• Chad Tatum – Assistant director of domestic scouting
• Hendrik Herz – Assistant director of draft operations
• Kevin Carter – Assistant director of pro scouting

With these moves, Baltimore’s showing a real commitment to scouting excellence. They want a strong foundation for long-term competitiveness, and honestly, who can blame them?

Free Agent Market Watch

MLBTradeRumors.com ranks outfielder Kyle Tucker as the top free agent this offseason. The Orioles probably won’t chase him.

Instead, most rumors point to a focus on pitching. Given the grind of a long MLB season, a strong rotation just makes sense.

Pitching Targets for 2025

Analysts don’t always agree, but a few names keep popping up:

• Dylan Cease – Projected seven-year, $189 million contract
• Framber Valdez – Estimated $150 million over five years
• Michael King – Forecasted four years at $80 million
• Lucas Giolito – Veteran starter with upside
• Raisel Iglesias – Proven closer for bullpen depth
• Luke Weaver and Tyler Rogers – Versatile arms for rotation or relief

Landing any of these pitchers would be a big investment. It could really change Baltimore’s postseason outlook—though it’s always a gamble, right?

Minor League Movement and Future Depth

Baseball America recently broke down Baltimore’s minor league free agent list. Some names there could shake up the depth chart, depending on where they land.

One situation stands out: Liván Soto isn’t expected to appear in the majors in 2025, even after an impressive 2024 spring training. His absence might test the Orioles’ infield depth, but it could also open the door for new prospects to step up.

Balancing Immediate Needs with Long-Term Vision

For the Orioles, the offseason means more than just patching up the roster. Their front-office shakeup and specific free-agent targets show a balanced approach—mixing player development with well-timed acquisitions.

The American League East feels as tough as ever. Baltimore needs to blend sharp internal scouting with smart free-agent spending if they want to keep up.

If they snag a top-tier pitcher and their young core keeps growing, the Orioles might surprise people past 2025. The winter meetings are coming up fast, and fans are glued to every rumor and move.

Will these front-office changes and possible signings spark the next great Orioles run? The next few months could shape their future in ways we can only guess at right now.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Sources: Matt Blood among Orioles’ executives to receive promotions (plus other notes)