Brandon Hyde has been the Baltimore Orioles manager for the past six seasons. Hyde helped guide the team through their tanking years to their current contention window. The development of guys like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Anthony Santander, Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg, and others happened under his watch. However, the team has gone 0-5 in the postseason under Hyde. While the club announced that he would return next season; how much pressure is on Brandon Hyde in 2025?
Brandon Hyde Has Accomplished A Lot In Baltimore
Embed from Getty ImagesBrandon Hyde is the only manager that GM Mike Elias has ever hired. Hyde led the team on the field through their entire tanking years to now where they’re a postseason contender. Under his watch, Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Anthony Santander, Colton Cowser, and Jordan Westburg have blossomed into stars. The Orioles have gone to the postseason the past two seasons including winning the AL East in 2023.
The Orioles Have Failed Miserably When It Matters
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite having regular-season success, Baltimore has wilted in the postseason. In two postseason appearances, the Orioles have dispatched very quickly. The eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers swept them in three games in the ALDS in 2023. This season, the Kansas City Royals dispatched them in two games in the Wild Card round. This brought the Orioles postseason record under Brandon Hyde to 0-5. Baltimore’s lack of offense in the playoffs has been particularly troubling. In those five games, the Orioles have only averaged 2.4 runs.
The 2025 Season Could Determine Brandon Hyde’s Future
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 2025 season could be the most important year of Brandon Hyde’s managerial career. Baltimore is expected to have more payroll flexibility this offseason and fans are running out of patience. Baseball has a long history of having managers who can turn teams around, win in the regular season, and can’t get it done in the postseason. Brandon Hyde just might be one of those managers as well.
The Baltimore Orioles contention window isn’t going to stay open forever. Their current core of players isn’t going to be cheap forever. Heck, Rutschman is currently in his arbitration years and after next season, Henderson will be as well. If Baltimore isn’t careful, they’ll fail to maximize their contention window, and their core will become too expensive to keep together.
More Pressure Could Be On Hyde In 2025
Embed from Getty ImagesThe team recently announced that Brandon Hyde is expected to return next season. However, he might be facing more pressure going forward. His teams have been swept out of the postseason early in the last two years. Baltimore’s contention window is going to be open forever, their current core’s price tag is growing, and the fan patience is getting thinner. However, if the team fails again, it might be time for Mike Elias to have a tough conversation with the only manager he’s ever hired.
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