Rebuilding Success in MLB: Mike Elias’ Journey
SARASOTA, Fla. — Rebuilding teams come in many forms, as Mike Elias can attest. He has been a key figure in two recent successful rebuilds in Major League Baseball.
Elias previously served as the scouting director and later the assistant general manager for the Houston Astros during their transformation from a 111-loss season in 2013 to a World Series champion in 2017, followed by another title in 2022. After the 2018 season, he took over as the general manager for the Baltimore Orioles, initiating a complete overhaul of the team’s roster and organization.
“When we faced 115 losses in 2018 as one of the smaller-market teams in the American League East, we had a poorly rated farm system, no analytics or international scouting departments, and an ownership transition,” Elias reflected. “There were many challenges, and I wasn’t sure if we could return to competitive play in the American League East. Yet, we managed to do it.”
The Orioles’ turnaround began in earnest in 2022, ending the season with an 83-79 record. They improved significantly, finishing the last 103 games with a .573 win percentage, which equated to a pace of 92 wins. The following season saw an even more dramatic leap, as the Orioles achieved 101 wins, claiming their first AL East title since 2014 and just their second in 25 years. Although they were swept by the Rangers in the AL Division Series, the season was deemed a remarkable success given the team’s inexperience.
In the subsequent season, the Orioles secured 91 wins, making the postseason for the second consecutive year. However, they faced another setback, being swept by the Royals in the AL Wild Card Series. As they approach a potential third straight postseason, Elias reflects on whether the rebuild has unfolded as expected.
“The last two to three seasons of regular play have been extraordinary,” Elias stated. “However, our back-to-back disappointing playoff experiences complicate my response. Even though those moments have been bitter, considering where the franchise and roster were and the level of baseball we’ve been playing, things have gone tremendously well. We aim for a better playoff performance this year.”
With Elias at the helm, the Orioles are focusing on strategic investments for the team, particularly in a competitive division. Following their transition into a new ownership group led by David Rubenstein, the team signed outfielder Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million contract, marking their first significant free-agent signing under Elias’ direction. While their goal to acquire a true ace like Corbin Burnes didn’t materialize as expected, Elias remains optimistic about the team’s depth and potential for continued success.
