The Baltimore Orioles are one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball history. Nicknamed the O’s, they have won nine American League pennants and three World Series championships over their 120+ year history. However, the team has struggled to find success in recent decades, missing the playoffs for many consecutive seasons.
The Orioles’ Playoff Drought
The last time the Orioles made the MLB playoffs was in 2016. This ended a stretch of 14 straight losing seasons for the ballclub that began in 1998. From 1998 to 2011, the Orioles finished no better than 4th place in the competitive American League East division. Some key reasons for their struggles included poor drafting and player development, lack of financial flexibility, and frequent managerial and front office changes.
Things started to turn around in 2012 when the Orioles made the playoffs for the first time since 1997. They lost to the Yankees in the ALDS that season but proved they could compete with baseball’s big spenders. The Orioles used a mix of homegrown talent like Adam Jones and Matt Wieters plus trade acquisitions like Chris Davis to find success. They also benefited from timely performances from unheralded players on short-term deals.
The Orioles returned to the postseason in 2014 and 2016, buoyed by standout seasons from Nelson Cruz, Zach Britton, Manny Machado and others. However, playoff success continued to elude them. The O’s lost in the ALDS three times and in the wild card game once during their three playoff appearances from 2012 to 2016.
Examining the Orioles’ Playoff Teams
Let’s take a closer look at the makeup of Baltimore’s recent playoff squads:
2012 Orioles
- Record: 93-69
- Manager: Buck Showalter
- MVPs: Adam Jones, Chris Davis
- Key Additions: Wei-Yin Chen, Jason Hammel, Wilson Betemit
- How Season Ended: Lost 3-2 in ALDS vs Yankees
2014 Orioles
- Record: 96-66
- Manager: Buck Showalter
- MVPs: Nelson Cruz, Zach Britton
- Key Additions: Nelson Cruz, Andrew Miller
- How Season Ended: Lost 3-0 in ALDS vs Royals
2016 Orioles
- Record: 89-73
- Manager: Buck Showalter
- MVPs: Manny Machado, Zach Britton
- Key Additions: Mark Trumbo, Wade Miley
- How Season Ended: Lost 5-2 in wild card game vs Blue Jays
These were balanced teams that combined All-Star anchors like Adam Jones and Matt Wieters with timely veteran pickups like Nelson Cruz. The bullpen was a strength, led by closer Zach Britton and his 0.54 ERA in 2016. Showalter provided steady leadership and the O’s just had a knack for winning close games, evidenced by their 29-9 record in one-run contests in 2012.
Key Factors in the Playoff Drought Since 2016
Why have the Orioles been unable to return to the postseason since their last trip in 2016? Here are some of the main factors:
Injuries
The Orioles have been hit hard by injuries in recent seasons. Stars like Manny Machado, Adam Jones, Zach Britton and Jonathan Schoop have spent significant time on the disabled list since 2016. It’s difficult to win consistently when your best players are frequently hurt.
Lack of Pitching Depth
Baltimore’s starting rotation has been a major weakness during the playoff drought. They lack frontline starters and have struggled to find reliable innings from the back end of their rotation. The bullpen also regressed after the departures of Zach Britton and others. Good pitching is critical for contending, and the O’s just haven’t had enough.
Regression of Core Hitters
The Orioles’ powerful offense carried the team in 2016 but declined in the following years. Key middle-of-the-order bats like Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo and Trey Mancini went through prolonged slumps. With home runs down, the offense became toothless at times.
Trading Manny Machado
The Orioles traded superstar Manny Machado during the 2018 season when they were well out of contention. While the farm system talent received has been a boost, the deal signaled a rebuilding phase and made returning to the playoffs near-term more difficult.
Playing in the AL East
Baltimore has to compete in arguably the toughest division in baseball. With consistent powers like the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays, plus the rising Blue Jays, the AL East is a gauntlet. The Orioles have struggled to keep up with the spiraling payrolls and talent levels of their division rivals.
Will the Orioles Make the Playoffs in 2023?
Looking ahead to next season, can the Orioles push their way back into the crowded AL playoff picture? They have made incremental progress, finishing 79-83 in 2021 after 108+ loss seasons in 2018 and 2019. Steps forward from young hitters like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson provide hope. Baltimore also has financial flexibility and a strong farm system to make splashes if they want to contend sooner.
However, the baseball pundits and oddsmakers remain skeptical on Baltimore’s 2023 outlook. Most projections still peg them closer to 70 wins than a playoff spot next season. With powerhouses like the Yankees, Astros and Blue Jays in the AL, it will be an uphill battle to end their playoff drought. Signing a top free agent starting pitcher would help, but the Orioles may be one more year away from truly competing in the AL East. The 2024 season looks more realistic as their next window to push for the playoffs.
Conclusion
The Baltimore Orioles last made the MLB playoffs in 2016, ending a 14-year postseason drought. Their three playoff teams from 2012 to 2016 featured standout performers like Adam Jones, Manny Machado and Zach Britton. Injuries, lack of pitching, slumping bats, and a tough AL East division have contributed to the playoff absence since then. With a rising crop of young talent, the O’s future looks bright, but ending their playoff drought in 2023 may be overly optimistic. A few more prudent roster moves could position Baltimore to compete soon, but their next realistic window seems to be 2024 and beyond.
