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. Instrumental in the Cubs' trade for soon-to-be National League MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong, Banner will work alongside Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias, who prioritized adding a GM this offseason to bulk up Baltimore's front office.
Following an American League East title in 2023 and another playoff appearance in 2024, the Orioles finished in last place in 2025 and only marginally improved in 2026, finishing 79-82. With a core of first baseman Pete Alonso, shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Samuel Basallo, the Orioles boast one of baseball's best farm systems and still have a number of former top prospects -- second baseman Jackson Holliday, third baseman Coby Mayo and center fielder Colton Cowser -- they hope can develop into front-line talents.
Banner's vast experience in player development -- he was farm director for the Mets and helped run the department in Chicago -- aligns with what the Orioles sought in a GM hire. Elias suggested last winter that the Orioles would consider adding another top executive but opted instead to wait for this offseason.
An Amherst graduate who started as an intern with the Red Sox in 2007, Banner ascended to vice president of player personnel in Boston, with duties spanning domestic and international scouting. He won three World Series with the Red Sox before leaving for the Mets and eventually joining the Cubs in a multipurpose role in 2021. Months later at the trade deadline, Chicago traded infielder Javier Baez to the Mets for Crow-Armstrong. Banner was a finalist for the vacant A's president of baseball operations job, one of two current lead roles -- the other belonging to the Houston Astros. The A's are expected to fill the job in the coming days, while the Astros could soon make a hire as well, sources said. Houston's firing of Dana Brown leaves Banner as the only Black GM in Major League Baseball.
