The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees are two of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. Both teams have rich histories filled with championships, legendary players, and memorable moments. However, in recent years, a strange role reversal has taken place between these two clubs.
The Orioles’ Struggles
From 2012-2018, the Orioles endured seven straight losing seasons. During that time, they lost over 100 games twice and never finished higher than third place in the challenging American League East division. Some of the reasons for their struggles included:
- Lack of pitching depth – Beyond ace Chris Tillman, the Orioles often lacked reliable starting pitchers and back-end bullpen arms.
- Inability to develop prospects – Highly touted prospects like Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey frequently got injured or underperformed.
- Tough division – Having to compete with the big-budget Yankees and Red Sox as well as the scrappy Rays and Blue Jays was an uphill battle.
- Payroll constraints – The Orioles consistently had one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, limiting their flexibility.
During those lean years, Camden Yards frequently felt empty as fans lost interest. The once-proud Orioles seemed a shell of their former selves.
The Yankees’ Dominance
In contrast, the Yankees experienced a resurgence starting in 2017. They made the playoffs in four out of five seasons from 2017-2021. The reasons for their success included:
- Excellent young core – Led by Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino, the Yankees finally developed impact players from their farm system again.
- Shrewd veterans – Acquiring vets like Giancarlo Stanton, Zack Britton, and Aroldis Chapman augmented the homegrown core.
- Deep pockets – Even with a homegrown core, the Yankees’ massive payroll allowed them to fill holes other teams couldn’t.
- Savvy leadership – GM Brian Cashman made consistently smart moves to keep the Yankees a consistent contender.
During this run, Yankee Stadium was full of energy as fans flocked to see these new Bronx Bombers make their mark.
How the Tables Turned
The script completely flipped in 2019. The Orioles lost 108 games and picked first in the 2020 MLB draft. The Yankees, despite winning 103 games, fell flat in the playoffs again. Since then, things have only gotten worse in the Bronx while they’ve gotten better in Baltimore:
Year | Orioles Record | Yankees Record |
---|---|---|
2019 | 54-108 | 103-59 |
2020 | 25-35 | 33-27 |
2021 | 52-110 | 92-70 |
2022 | 83-79 | 77-85 |
The Orioles rebounded to finish above .500 for the first time since 2016. Meanwhile, the Yankees collapsed with their first losing season since 1992. What happened?
The Orioles’ Resurgence
Several factors explain the Orioles’ turnaround:
- Top prospects – Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Grayson Rodriguez realized their potential at the MLB level.
- Shrewd signings – GM Mike Elias made low-risk signings like Rougned Odor that paid off.
- Managerial stability – Brandon Hyde’s patience with the rebuild paid dividends.
- Ownership patience – Despite external pressure, ownership stayed the course with its long-term vision.
Camden Yards was electric again down the stretch as the Orioles contended for a wild card spot. After so much darkness, there are finally rays of light in Baltimore.
The Yankees’ Decline
For the Yankees, everything fell apart:
- Injuries – Judge stayed healthy but key cogs like Luis Severino missed significant time.
- Core regressing – Sanchez was traded while Torres and Urshela declined sharply.
- Deadline duds – Trade acquisitions like Andrew Benintendi flopped down the stretch.
- Lack of hunger – Some like Josh Donaldson played with little urgency or fire.
Yankee Stadium was half-empty on many nights as fan apathy set in. The Yankees seemed to lose their mystique and aura.
What Does the Future Hold?
Can these reversal of fortunes last? Let’s take a look at what the future could hold for both franchises:
Orioles Outlook
The Orioles should get better as their young core enters its prime. Full seasons from Rutschman, Henderson, Rodriguez and DL Hall will make the Birds formidable. Another impact draft pick looms in 2023 as well. However, the AL East won’t get easier. To contend, Baltimore needs its youth movement to fulfill its potential while adding the right veteran pieces around the edges. The playoffs should be an annual expectation within the next 3-5 years.
Yankees Outlook
Despite their struggles, the Yankees still have a World Series-caliber foundation with Judge, Cole, Cortes, and Stanton. However, serious changes are needed around the margins of the roster and perhaps the front office. The Yankees can’t rely solely on past mystique – they need an influx of energy, hunger and roster depth. With their resources, a quick turnaround back into a juggernaut is possible but not guaranteed. At minimum, though, they should spend big to keep Judge long-term.
Conclusions
The Orioles and Yankees have seemingly swapped spots in the AL East hierarchy in recent years. Baltimore’s patient rebuild is bearing fruit while New York’s aura of invincibility has faded. Looking ahead, the Orioles should continue improving and become annual contenders again soon. The Yankees’ struggles could persist but a quick fix back into World Series contention is possible with their vast resources. For now though, the AL East has turned upside down from its established order of the past three decades. The Orioles can no longer be considered the Yankees’ little brother – they are now equals on the rise. Old rivalries have new life and fresh intensity. It’s an exciting time to be a fan of either franchise.