NEW YORK -- Each of the previous two years, the final day of the regular season wasn’t the end for the Orioles. In fact, they had already clinched postseason berths and were gearing up for the playoffs well in advance -- both when they won the American League East in 2023, then again when they secured an AL Wild Card in ‘24.
That’s not the case in the 2025 season, which ended for Baltimore with a 3-2 loss at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The O’s finished 75-87 in their first losing campaign since 2021 (52-110), one in which they failed to achieve the lofty goals they had entering the year.
The Orioles went 60-59 under interim manager Tony Mansolino, who took the helm after Brandon Hyde was dismissed on May 17 following a 15-28 start. The O’s also had a solid September, going 14-11 during their healthiest month of an injury-plagued season.
Are there reasons for cautious optimism moving forward? Sure. In 2026, Baltimore is unlikely to use the injured list 39 times and have 29 players miss time due to ailments. There’s still a young core in place that could help get the team back on track quickly.
But there’s also no hiding from the fact that 2025 was a disappointing year in all facets, as the Orioles are not among the three AL East teams heading to the postseason.
“It still feels like a failure deep down inside, knowing that the Yankees are going on to play here in the postseason and we’re not, knowing that Boston is going on to play and we’re not. Toronto -- a team we beat up last year -- they’re going to play and we’re not,” Mansolino said. “So you do feel like a failure in a lot of ways.”
After the club’s final loss, a few players took their time leaving the third-base dugout. Several looked on as players from the Yankees -- set to host the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Series beginning in the Bronx on Tuesday -- celebrated and left to prepare for postseason baseball.
The O’s have learned what that type of moment is like. In 2023, they were swept in three games by the Rangers in the AL Division Series. Then in ‘24, they were swept in two games by the Royals in the AL Wild Card Series.
“Making it to the playoffs, not making the playoffs, either way, you're going home angry, which is the fate we've been dealt this year,” right-hander Dean Kremer said. “But I mean, a lot of guys learned a lot of things -- baseball-related, not baseball-related, on the field, off the field about themselves -- and kind of taking it to the next level next year.”
Kremer took on more of a leadership role over the final two months of the season after Baltimore dealt nine big league players amid its July Trade Deadline selloff. So did infielder Jordan Westburg, who leads more by his actions on the field than with his words.
Westburg also feels the Orioles can learn from the 2025 season -- a year much different for members of Baltimore’s young core, which often won a lot in the Minor Leagues and then experienced immediate team success upon reaching the Majors.
“I think there needs to be a reflection from everybody in this clubhouse, on a big scale and on a small scale. What did every individual do or did not do to add to this or to make us where we are?” Westburg said. “And then, kind of what can we do to change things? It’s going to be different for everybody. Everybody’s going to have a different scenario or come into camp maybe with a different opportunity.
“I think everybody’s a professional, though, and they’ll reflect and correct.”
The offseason begins Monday, and the Orioles could look quite different by the time they report to Sarasota, Fla., for Spring Training in mid-February.
President of baseball operations Mike Elias will need to set the coaching staff, which could either feature Mansolino or not. There are holes to fill on the roster. The core players need to have good offseasons that set them up for improvement next year.
Baltimore has a strong belief, though, that 2025 can become an anomaly amid a run of success.
“Not the year we wanted, but I don’t think anyone has any doubts about what this team can do in the future,” catcher Adley Rutschman said. “Nothing’s given to you in this league. You’ve got to earn it, and I think, next year, I hope everyone comes back inspired, ready to go, and I know they will. I think that’s the biggest thing. We’ve just got to go out and do it.”