Baltimore Orioles emulating John Mozeliak's strategies in their free agent recruitment
Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals Share Unlikely Link in 2025
Despite their current contrasting paths in the 2025 season, the Baltimore Orioles and the St. Louis Cardinals share a significant connection within their front office and player roster. While the Orioles aim to contend in the challenging American League East with a young squad, the Cardinals straddle the line between competition and future prospects.
The similarities between these two squads are more pronounced in the realm of personnel. The Baltimore Orioles have been bolstered by a number of former St. Louis Cardinals, a result of the efforts of Sig Mejdal and Mike Elias, two ex-Cardinals executives who now hold positions within the Orioles organization.
Let's take a brief journey back to 2010. John Mozeliak was establishing his tenure as general manager, with Sig Mejdal and Mike Elias, two analytics-driven individuals, as integral members of his team. Mejdal was later promoted to director of amateur draft analysis, laying the groundwork for homegrown players throughout the 2010s. Elias, initially just a scout for the Cardinals, eventually left to collaborate with Jeff Luhnow in Houston, where he became the Astros' scouting director.
Mejdal and Elias served as key advisors for John Mozeliak during the fledgling years of his leadership, forming a formidable trio responsible for drafting and developing talent. Now, both executives have joined the Baltimore Orioles, contributing to the team's transformation following a tanking period from 2017 to 2021. Their presence in the Orioles' front office has paved the way for the acquisition of top draft picks such as Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Grayson Rodriguez, and Jackson Holliday, among others.
To complete their roster, the Orioles have opted for mid-tier free agent signings instead of high-profile players. This strategy mirrors John Mozeliak's philosophy, as the Cardinals have historically avoided expensive free agents in favor of developing players internally or acquiring veterans through trades. This approach has also been implemented by the Orioles, as evidenced by their trade for ace Corbin Burnes last year.
Four former St. Louis Cardinals — Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Carlson, Andrew Kittredge, and Kyle Gibson — are currently part of the Baltimore Orioles roster heading into the 2025 season. O'Neill, who played for the Cardinals from 2018 to 2023, secured a lucrative three-year, $49.5 million contract to be the club's starting left fielder.
Dylan Carlson, a once highly-touted prospect, has struggled in recent years due to underperformance and injuries. Despite a promising spring with a .321 average and a 1.071 OPS through 28 plate appearances, Carlson may find himself squeezed off the Opening Day roster due to competition for limited positions.
Andrew Kittredge joined the Orioles last year via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays. Kittredge had been a reliable relief pitcher for the Cardinals in 2024, but has been sidelined for several months due to knee surgery.
The Orioles' final piece of Sig Mejdal's former Cardinals puzzle was Kyle Gibson. Gibson, a Missouri native, joined the Cardinals following the 2023 season on a one-year contract. He made 30 starts for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, accumulating a 4.24 ERA and an 8-8 record. He agreed to rejoin the Orioles on a one-year deal worth $5.25 million.
These connections between the Orioles and Cardinals do not end there. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Orioles had reportedly considered signing Lance Lynn, another former Cardinal with whom both Sig Mejdal and Mike Elias were familiar during their time in the Cardinals' scouting department.
It seems that the Baltimore Orioles, under the influence of Sig Mejdal and Mike Elias, are employing a strategy that echoes their former boss's playbook. By combining veteran acquisitions with a young core of players, Mejdal and Elias hope to find success, possibly surpassing the achievements of the Cardinals with these players in the previous season.
- The Baltimore Orioles have strengthened their team with a number of former St. Louis Cardinals, a phenomenon facilitated by Sig Mejdal and Mike Elias, who previously held executive positions with the Cardinals.
- The Orioles' executives, Mejdal and Elias, worked closely with John Mozeliak during his tenure as general manager, aiding in talent acquisition and development. This collaboration has significantly impacted the Orioles' current roster and future prospects.
- In an alternate scenario, the Orioles were reportedly considering signing Lance Lynn, another former Cardinal and a familiar face to both Sig Mejdal and Mike Elias from their time in the Cardinals' scouting department, further emphasizing the connection between these two MLB teams.
