Orioles 'Hungry' After Disappointing End To Impressive Year
While the Baltimore Orioles won 101 games and the American League East division, there was a feeling of disappointment around the clubhouse after being swept by the World Series champion Texas Rangers in the ALDS.
Despite that emphatic elimination, the Orioles' front office understands what position they're in.
Being disappointed after a playoff loss is understandable, even if they weren't supposed to be this good yet. Many didn't believe Baltimore had a chance to compete for at least another year or two.
Instead, they made an argument to be considered the best team in baseball during the regular season.
In 2024, the expectation now is that they'll be even better.
Jake Rill of MLB.com reported what manager Brandon Hyde had to say, indicating that the team is coming for even more next season.
"For us, now it’s taking that next step and being able to advance in the postseason," Hyde said during the Winter Meetings in early December. "I think our guys are going to come in really, really hungry. Just talking to some of them briefly throughout this offseason so far, our guys are going to be really driven this year. That was a great experience for us, but we want to go further."
There's no denying that if the Orioles want to be the team that they're hoping to be, they need to add pitching. Every contending team typically tries to add an arm or two during the offseason, both in the rotation and bullpen. If they don't do that, fans won't be happy, and rightfully so.
After showing what they were capable of in 2023, the future is bright. A starting pitcher or two could be the reason why they win in the postseason.
At the very least, the 101-win season and playoff appearance is a step in the right direction for Baltimore.
