The conclusion of the 2024 season was a deeply disappointing one for the Baltimore Orioles, especially for a team that had genuine World Series aspirations. Getting swept in back-to-back years is a troubling pattern, and it raises serious questions about their postseason performance. When they were swept in 2023, it was a tough blow, but it was somewhat forgivable given that no one truly expected them to win it all that year. Many fans were just excited to see how well the team performed during the regular season, marking that year as a pleasant surprise.
However, that grace period has come to an end. With the talent the Orioles currently have, their underperformance, especially in the second half of this season, was inexcusable. That poor form carried over into the postseason, where their lackluster play was clear. The blame can be shared across many parts of the organization, from players to management.
One of the most perplexing decisions by the Orioles’ front office over the past two seasons has been their cautious approach at the trade deadline. Despite knowing they had teams capable of competing for a World Series, they failed to make aggressive moves to strengthen their roster. Instead, they made questionable decisions that didn’t pay off. A prime example of this is their acquisition of veteran outfielder Austin Slater.
Slater, who has been in the league for a long time, brought professionalism and experience to the Orioles’ roster. Yet, his contributions during his brief time with the team were minimal. Given his underwhelming performance, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be part of the Orioles’ plans for 2025.
Zach Pressnell of FanSided anticipates this outcome, stating that Slater “definitely won’t be back” with Baltimore. Pressnell pointed out that Slater played just 33 games for the Orioles in 2024, posting a modest .246/.342/.333 slash line with a few extra-base hits. While he did make the postseason roster and had some at-bats, his overall contribution was underwhelming, with an OPS of just .675. For a team with so much young talent, the Orioles can’t afford to keep a veteran who struggles offensively at that level.
The Orioles’ farm system remains rich with promising young players, even after a few trades they made at the deadline. While having such a deep pool of young talent is beneficial, the team also needs to make better decisions when it comes to acquiring veteran players who can make an immediate impact.
At some point, Baltimore has to find a balance between developing young players and bringing in proven veterans who can help them achieve postseason success. While youth is valuable, they may need to part with some prospects to ensure they don’t end up with underperforming veterans like Slater on their roster.
