For all intents and purposes, the Baltimore Orioles’ 2025 season ended a few months ago. Baltimore was expected to compete for the AL East crown, or at the very least, a Wild Card spot. Instead, the Orioles are stuck at the bottom of the division, and after selling off a bunch of assets at the MLB trade deadline, most fans are focused on the 2026 season.

But the one question on everyone’s mind as the Orioles enter the final six weeks of the season is who the manager will be in 2026. Tony Mansolino has done a fine job since taking over after Baltimore fired Brandon Hyde.

The O’s interim manager has led his team to a winning record, and most of the players appear to enjoy having him in charge. And while Mansolino should definitely be in consideration to receive the permanent gig, it won’t matter who the manager is if Mike Elias and the Orioles’ front office don’t invest in the starting rotation this coming offseason.

Orioles decision on Tony Mansolino won’t matter unless Baltimore fixes this problem

The Orioles’ problem was, and continues to be, a lack of depth in the starting rotation. While injuries have definitely played a role in the pitching staff’s underperformance this season, it’s not as if the Orioles’ front office has not helped to offset the loss of Corbin Burnes. Granted, finding a Cy Young contender at the O’s price point is not easy, but plenty of other serviceable starters were available.

And if the Orioles are allergic to spending, they have an entire treasure trove of talented prospects — any number of whom could be traded to acquire some frontline talent. Perhaps this offseason, Elias and Co. can give the Miami Marlins a call and see if Sandy Alcantara or Edward Cabrera is available.

The Orioles nabbed several young players at the deadline, but none of them will be able to help the team in 2026. O’s fans are getting tired of being strung along, and if the starting rotation isn’t addressed this offseason, it doesn’t matter whether Mansolino, Buck Showalter, or the late-great Earl Weaver is in the dugout for Baltimore.