Silence can be deafening. And Mike Elias, the Baltimore Orioles general manager, is getting a crash course in that lesson. The recent firing of manager Brandon Hyde has shifted Elias into the spotlight. But his silence since then has been slammed, particularly by one loud MLB voice. Questions about accountability and communication from the Orioles front office are being raised.

The 2025 campaign began in disaster for the Baltimore Orioles. The team stumbled to a dismal 15-28 record. This marked their fourth-worst performance in baseball. The injuries had piled up, the starting pitching proved too thin, and the hitting was unreliable. As a result, the Orioles fired manager Brandon Hyde on May 17. This move was made less than 14 hours after a tough 4-3 loss to the Washington Nationals.

Hyde became the third MLB manager dismissed during the season. It was also the first mid-season managerial change for the Orioles since Dave Trembley in 2010.

Following the firing, the Orioles organization released official statements. General Manager Mike Elias stated, “As the head of baseball operations, the poor start to our season is ultimately my responsibility.” He added that “Part of that responsibility is pursuing difficult changes.”

New owner David Rubenstein echoed this, thanking Hyde but noting “change becomes necessary.”

However, these were just written statements. Elias did not hold a press conference. He remained unavailable for direct media questions for days, a conspicuous absence.

This lack of direct communication did not sit well with many. ESPN senior writer Buster Olney voiced strong concerns. Glenn Clark posted Olney’s pointed critique on X: “Mike’s handling of the last 4 days…has other teams shocked that he hasn’t made himself available to the media. I don’t know how you create any accountability if the guy at the top of the food chain isn’t addressing it.” A direct challenge from a major MLB media figure…

Olney’s “shock” resonates because Elias’s approach contrasts sharply with other MLB general managers.

For example, when the Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton, GM Ben Cherington faced the music immediately. Cherington held a comprehensive press conference. He openly took the blame, stating, “This certainly isn’t all on Shelty. We’re all responsible. It all starts with me. I’m more responsible than anyone.” This transparency is what many expect, making Elias’s silence more glaring.

And speculations are running high to find out the reason…

The Orioles’ puzzling path

The situation becomes more questionable, given the Orioles’ recent success under Brandon Hyde. He joined Elias in late 2018 to take over a rebuilding team. After three difficult seasons, Hyde orchestrated one of the most impressive turnarounds. The O’s improved to an 83-79 record in 2022. This progress exploded in 2023. Under Hyde, they finished with the American League’s best record of 101-61 and won the American League East.

His outstanding leadership in 2023 earned him the AL Manager of the Year award. The success continued into 2024, with Baltimore clinching an AL Wild Card spot (91-71). While their 0-5 postseason record in those two years was a blemish, Hyde’s overall impact was undeniably positive. He left as the fourth-winningest manager in team history. This track record makes his swift dismissal, and Elias’s handling of it, even more puzzling to observers.

Making things worse is Mike Elias’s own roster choices. A good number of fans and media people believe he did little this offseason to put the team in a better position while the championship window is open. This criticism stings more because the Orioles did have a top farm system. The plus was acquiring Corbin Burnes before 2024, but the idea to replace him after he turned down a contract offer fell flat.

The pitching acquisitions of Charlie Morton and Kyle Gibson have drawn extra attention. Morton is 0-7 with a 7.68 ERA. Gibson was designated for assignment after making only four starts and pitching to a 16.78 ERA. These are widely regarded as high-profile free-agent busts. The one-year contract for Tyler O’Neill has also been problematic due to injuries and offensive struggles.

These apparent slip-ups also place Elias’s decision-making right under the microscope. Is this why Elias is silent? Because, to hide these on-the-face problems, Hyde was made the scapegoat?