New Orioles General Manager Named To Turn Team Around

BALTIMORE, MD — The Baltimore Orioles announced the new executive vice president and general manager Friday, who face the daunting task of turning around the ball club following a disastrous 2018 season. The announcement came more than a month after former field manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette learned their contracts were up.

"It’s official: Mike Elias has been named Executive Vice President and General Manager. Welcome to Birdland, Mike!" the Orioles tweeted Friday, Nov. 16.

There will be a press conference to introduce Elias on Monday, Nov. 19, according to ESPN, which reports he was the assistant general manager for the Houston Astros.

It’s official: Mike Elias has been named Executive Vice President and General Manager. Welcome to #Birdland, Mike! pic.twitter.com/SksSF7p0fY
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) November 16, 2018

Elias, 35, who is from Alexandria, Virginia, started with the Astros in 2011 as the director of amateur scouting and his role grew from there, according to MLB.com.

He also scouted for the St. Louis Cardinals after he graduated from Yale University, where he worked as a pitcher for four years while studying Eastern languages and civilizations.

Analysts see Elias as promising, in particular because he comes from an organization that relied heavily on analytics and, CBS Sports notes, he had a hand in the turnaround of the Astros from a 111-loss season in 2013 to World Series championship in 2017.

The Baltimore Orioles made franchise history by losing 115 games this season and had record low attendance, according to The Baltimore Sun.

SEE ALSO:

• Orioles: Contracts Up For Buck Showalter, Dan Duquette
• Buck Showalter Lists Home For $1.495M
• Ousted Orioles Manager Buck Showalter's Letter To Baltimore

Pictured, a general view during the fourth inning of the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sept. 30. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)