The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the biggest disappointments in baseball this season, heading into MLB games today with the third-worst record in the American League. Now viewed as a potential seller at the MLB trade deadline, there is growing uncertainty regarding the future of general manager Mike Elias.
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic , executives around LB believe that Elias is among the two decision-makers "under the most pressure" heading into the summer. Many are watching Baltimore particularly closely because while they've expected the Orioles to operate from the mindset of being a seller, Elias is looking for front-line pitching.
Related: 3 Baltimore Orioles players named top MLB trade candidates
Baltimore Orioles rotation stats ( FanGraphs ):5.17 ERA, .277 batting average allowed, 1.43 WHIP
Bowden believes that Elias is on the hot seat in Baltimore right now, fueling his motivation to pursue front-line starters. Pitching is also a glaring need for Baltimore, which entered Sunday tied for 24th in quality starts with the third-worst ERA and the second-highest batting average allowed this season.
Elias isn't the only top decision-maker in baseball believed to be on the hot seat. MLB executives also named Seattle Mariners ' president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto as someone whose job could be on the line this summer. Mariners' ownership is reportedly now willing to increase payroll, paired with a strong farm system, giving Dipoto all the incentive to acquire a middle-of-the-order bat.
Related: MLB insider sheds light on how Seattle Mariners will approach trade deadline
Seattle Mariners lineup ( FanGraphs ):.723 OPS (11th), .244 batting average (19th), 302 runs scored (15th), 111 wRC+ (6th)
Seattle is certainly better positioned to contend than Baltimore as of now. The Mariners are second in the AL West, but their run differential (-8) is 9th in the AL. Since hiring Dipoto in 2015, Seattle has made the playoffs just once and it got swept out of the AL Division Series in 2022.
With both Elias and Dipoto seemingly having their jobs at stake, the Orioles and Mariners are two clubs that will be monitored very closely leading into late July. If both teams continue to perform at the levels they have, Seattle could be one of the most aggressive buyers, whereas Baltimore's roster will make it one of the most attractive sellers in baseball.
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