Even the Orioles mascots, the Oriole Bird and Mr. Splash, couldn’t escape the layoffs. The people playing the mascots, along with the team photographer and several other employees, were shown the exit door.
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The total number of employees laid off isn’t known, but reports mention it would be at least in the teens (approximately 16 people). Those removed from the organization were responsible for business operations, content production, in-game presentation, ticket sales, and graphic design.
In fact, as reported by The Baltimore Banner, a source called it a “bloodbath”.
After back-to-back losing seasons, Baltimore is desperate to change its fortunes. Orioles president Mike Elias admitted the organization is “tired” of losing baseball. And after first baseman Pete Alonso emerged as the lone major bright spot this year, the Orioles are preparing for an offseason filled with more Alonso-like moves.
But rebuilding a baseball team comes with a price. In Baltimore, that price seems to extend far beyond the 26-man roster. Struggling clubs typically begin their overhaul by targeting players. But the Orioles have apparently gone a step further. They turned their attention to the people who bring the team’s personality to life: Oriole Bird and Mr. Splash.
While Mr. Splash is gone, the team plans to retain its “Bird Bath” section, per The Athletic. However, in the larger picture, the management is focused on its core job: winning games and championships. Unfortunately, in doing so, the surrounding spectacle seems to be taking hard hits.
Meanwhile, there are other important questions the team needs to answer.
Will the Orioles make more big-ticket signings like Pete Alonso?
“We have owners now that really have the ability to do that, and they’ve already flexed that,” Elias told the media after wrapping up their season in late September. “We were in a position this offseason to pursue a player like Pete. And we did it pretty aggressively, and so far, really happy with that. So I credit our owners for putting us in this position, and obviously, that’s something you can do every single year.
“I’m glad that the experience we’re having with Pete has been so rewarding so far because it is important to be able to pursue and attract big free agents when it makes sense.”
Per Elias, the Orioles have the confidence to be able to attract big free agents, and once that is done, they will pursue whoever makes the most sense.
The Orioles have spent a total of $213,500,000 in guaranteed contracts during the 2025–26 free-agent offseason. This includes names like Alonso ($155 million), Ryan Helsley ($28 million), and Chris Bassitt ($18.5 million).
This year, high-earning players like Bassitt (2027 free agent) and Zach Eflin ($10 million 2026 deal + $25 million mutual option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout) could drop off the roster, thus, freeing up significant immediate capital. Further firings could involve paying a $2 million buyout to decline Luis Robert Jr.’s 2027 $20 million option, alongside letting first baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s $7.5 million club option go.
Hence, if Bassitt and Eflin leave, the Orioles would aggressively look to fill rotation slots alongside Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz. However, the additional funding is being managed by restructuring their other operational areas.
Certainly, a new-look and trimmed Orioles will be introduced in the next season. It would be interesting to see if that changes their on-field fortunes. That said, the firings in the organization did not happen in isolation.
The New York Mets are undergoing changes as well
After an unsuccessful 2026 season, the New York team intends to turn things around. So, they decided to start with coaching changes.
The organization is moving on from Jeff Albert (Director of Hitting Development), Danny Barnes (held a number of roles since 2022, but most recently functioned as the quality assurance coach), and Kevin Mahoney (batting practice pitcher).
For the Mets, however, these changes amount to a relatively modest adjustment this time around, especially after the organization overhauled almost its entire coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season.
Thankfully, the rest of the coaching staff is set to remain intact. Troy Snitker will continue as hitting coach, Kai Correa returns as bench coach, and Justin Willard will stay as the pitching coach.