The Baltimore Orioles hired Jared Banner as their general manager Monday, tabbing the longtime executive to join a team looking to right itself after two disappointing seasons. Banner, who was an assistant general manager with the Chicago Cubs after stints with the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, brings a wide swath of experience in major league acquisitions, scouting and player development. He was instrumental in the Cubs' trade for soon-to-be National League MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong, and he will work alongside Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias, who prioritized adding a GM this offseason to bulk up Baltimore's front office.
The Orioles won an American League East title in 2023 and made another playoff appearance in 2024, but they finished in last place in 2025 and only marginally improved in 2026, finishing 79-82. The club still has a core of first baseman Pete Alonso, shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Samuel Basallo, along with one of baseball's best farm systems. Former top prospects Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo and Colton Cowser are also expected to develop into front-line talents.
Banner's experience in player development aligns with what the Orioles sought in a GM hire. He was farm director for the Mets and helped run the department in Chicago. An Amherst graduate who started as an intern with the Red Sox in 2007, he rose to vice president of player personnel in Boston, overseeing domestic and international scouting, and he won three World Series with the Red Sox before joining the Mets and later the Cubs in 2021.
Banner was also a finalist for the vacant Athletics president of baseball operations job, one of two current lead roles in the sport, the other belonging to the Houston Astros. The A's are expected to fill their job in the coming days, while Houston could soon make a hire as well. Houston's firing of Dana Brown leaves Banner as the only Black GM in Major League Baseball.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing