Orioles GM Reveals Key Advice He Received From NBA Counterpart
Newly appointed executive Jared Banner knows better than to expect fans to judge him by his first offseason in Baltimore.
Jared Banner became the Baltimore Orioles' new general manager on October 27, joining forces with president of baseball operations Mike Elias. Their upcoming tasks are extensive, but they have limited time to complete them. A potential labor dispute could cause the teams to shut down on December 1, prohibiting executives from contacting players, making trades, or signing free agents until a new agreement is in place.
As a first-time GM, Banner, 41, is eager to make a significant impact during his initial months. However, he acknowledges that the second half of his tenure will be sluggish due to the lockout. Fans will only evaluate his performance once the games resume and the lockout is over. During a podcast interview, Banner shared a piece of advice he received from a former NBA general manager.
He advised focusing solely on the team's winning and losing record, as that would be the sole metric of judgment. This strategy is applicable universally, and in Baltimore, the fans who previously praised Elias for transforming the team into a successful 2023 squad have since grown skeptical of his ability to lead the Orioles to playoff wins.
Banner was recruited from the Chicago Cubs to infuse a new perspective into the Orioles' organization. Elias recruited him, noting his personality and willingness to disrupt the status quo. Given the Orioles' need for a change, Banner appears to be a suitable choice, provided fans afford him ample time to assess his capabilities.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
