The 2023 Baltimore Orioles season was the 123rd season in Baltimore Orioles franchise history, the 70th in Baltimore, and the 32nd at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Baltimore Orioles drew an average home attendance of 23,911 in 81 home games in the 2023 MLB season. The total attendance was 1,936,798.
The Orioles improved on their 83–79 season from 2022, with their 84th win coming on September 2. On September 4, after the Orioles defeated the Los Angeles Angels, they established a new American League record by surpassing the 1922–24 New York Yankees with 84 consecutive series of two-plus games of not being swept. The Orioles tied their win total from 2016 with their win over the Red Sox on September 8, and the win against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 11 ensured that the Orioles won at least one game against all MLB opponents in the regular season. The Orioles clinched a playoff spot with the Texas Rangers' loss on September 17, shortly before their own win over the Tampa Bay Rays. This was Baltimore's first postseason appearance since 2016. On September 28, the Orioles clinched the division title for the first time since the 2014 season, and just the second time since 1997. The win on September 28 also ensured the Orioles would win 100 or more games for the first time since 1980. In the playoffs, the Orioles were upset by the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers in the ALDS, being swept in 3 games.
Offseason The Orioles finished the 2022 season 83–79, their first season finishing at .500 or above since 2016 but finished 16 games out of 1st and missed the postseason for the sixth consecutive season.
Rule changes Pursuant to the CBA, new rule changes will be in place for the 2023 season:
institution of a pitch clock between pitches; limits on pickoff attempts per plate appearance; limits on defensive shifts requiring two infielders to be on either side of second and be within the boundary of the infield; and larger bases (increased to 18-inch squares);
The most controversial of the rules changes was the addition of a pitch clock. Pitchers would have 15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on base to pitch the ball, and require the hitter to be "alert" in the batter's box with 8 seconds remaining, or otherwise be charged a penalty ball/strike. Opinions of the clock, designed to hasten the game, were divided with proponents citing fewer lulls in gameplay and detractors citing the demise of the leisurely pace of the sport, elimination of suspenseful build ups in big game situations, and the potential for games to end on a pitch clock penalty.
Jeff Passan tweeted that, through the first four days of the season, average game duration was down 3:09 to 2:38 when compared to the first four days of 2022, a 31-minute reduction. Other observations included: There were 40 pitch clock violations through 50 total games Stolen base attempts were more frequent and successful (70 stolen on 84 attempts in 2023 compared to 29-of-43 in 2022) OPS was up from .682 to .715, observing that this production increase was due to an increase in singles.
Awards
Following his 2022 campaign, catcher Adley Rutschman was announced as runner-up for 2022 AL Rookie of the Year, finishing behind Seattle's Julio Rodriguez.
Ramón Urías was awarded a Gold Glove for his defensive work at third base in 2022. Toronto's Matt Chapman and Cleveland's José Ramírez were the other finalists for the AL third baseman honor. Cedric Mullins was also a finalist for the center field award, alongside Kansas City's Michael A. Taylor and Cleveland's Myles Straw, who won at that position.
Prospect Heston Kjerstad was named MVP of the Arizona Fall League, an off-season league that provides an environment for top prospects to advance their development. Kjerstad had previously missed significant playing time since being drafted second overall in the 2020 amateur draft due to the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season, a bout of myocarditis in 2021, and a strained hamstring early in 2022.
Roster moves
Arbitration
Prior to the filing deadline, the Orioles tendered contracts to all six arbitration-eligible players (i.e. players with between three and six years of major league service time): Outfielder Anthony Santander agreed to $7.4M, outfielder Cedric Mullins agreed to $4.1M, outfielder Austin Hays agreed to $3.2M, shortstop Jorge Mateo agreed to $2M, and reliever Dillon Tate agreed to $1.5M. Only pitcher Austin Voth differed with the Orioles on his $2M request; the Orioles filed at $1.7M. Voth and the Orioles avoided arbitration by agreeing to $1.85M and an option for 2024 worth $2.45M plus escalators.
Additions
In advance of the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles selected the contracts of five prospects adding them to the 40-man roster. The group was headlined by top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez, and included pitchers Noah Denoyer, Seth Johnson, and Drew Rom, and infield prospect Joey Ortiz. During the major league portion of the draft, the Orioles added reliever Andrew Politi, who had been with the Boston Red Sox. The Orioles did not lose any players in the major league portion of the draft, however infielder Jonathan Araúz, who had spent a brief period with the Orioles in 2022 was selected by the New York Mets in the Triple-A portion.
To re-inforce the major league team for 2023, the Orioles came to agreements with three free agents: starting pitcher Kyle Gibson received a one-year contract for $10M, infielder Adam Frazier received a one-year $8M contract, and Mychal Givens re-joined the Orioles on a one-year $4M contract to bolster the back end of the bullpen. Givens was a former Oriole draft pick who previously pitched in parts of six seasons for the Orioles before being traded to Colorado.
Following the loss of back up catcher Robinson Chirinos to free agency, the Orioles acquired replacement veteran backstop James McCann in a trade with the Mets for cash and a player to be named later.
The Orioles acquired starting pitcher Cole Irvin and minor league pitcher Kyle Virbitsky from the Oakland Athletics for shortstop prospect Darrell Hernaiz.
Following the completion of spring training, left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe exercised his right to opt out of his minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. His contract stipulated that were he not selected to break camp with the Twins and were offered that opportunity with another club, he would be granted his release. The Orioles selected Coloumbe's contract, guaranteeing him a spot with the team on Opening Day. Politi was returned to the Red Sox at the conclusion of Spring Training to open a spot on the reserve roster.
Subtractions
The Orioles parted ways with four XX(B)-type free agents, defined as players with at least six years of major league service time: catcher Robinson Chirinos, infielder Rougned Odor, first baseman Jesús Aguilar, and starting pitcher Jordan Lyles. The Orioles declined Lyles' option that would pay him $10M in 2023, making him a free agent.
Other major league role-players departing in free agency included pitchers Chris Ellis, Rico Garcia, Louis Head, and Alex Wells, outfielder and former first round pick DJ Stewart, and outfielder Yusniel Diaz, who was the centerpiece of the trade that sent star third baseman Manny Machado to the Dodgers.
On New Year's Eve, the Orioles traded infielder Tyler Nevin to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash.
Minor Leagues
In various waiver claims, the Orioles added catcher Mark Kolozsvary, outfielder Daz Cameron, and first basemen Lewin Díaz and Ryan O'Hearn. All of these players were successfully outrighted to the minor leagues and began the year in AAA Norfolk.
The Orioles added major leaguers Reed Garrett, Josh Lester, Eduard Bazardo and Kyle Dowdy, along with minor league free agents Wandisson Charles and Ofreidy Gómez on minor league contracts, and all were reassigned to the minor leagues following spring camp.
The Orioles also claimed outfielder Jake Cave off of waivers from the Minnesota Twins. The Orioles later attempted to pass Cave through waivers themselves, but was claimed by the Phillies. Cave was elevated to Phillies' opening day left fielder in the aftermath of Rhys Hoskins' season-ending spring training injury.
The Orioles also added major leaguers Curtis Terry, Franchy Cordero, and Nomar Mazara, on minor league pacts, but released all three at the end of spring training. Cordero's strong spring earned him a major league split contract with the Yankees following his release.
On January 11, the Orioles acquired reliever Darwinzon Hernández from the Red Sox for cash considerations. The Orioles designated Hernández for assignment on January 26 after the Orioles acquired Irvin from the Athletics and outrighted him to AAA Norfolk.
Adding to their young international program, the Orioles signed 16-year-old shortstop Luis Almeyda, a native of Paterson, New Jersey, who moved to the Dominican Republic, for $2.3 million, a team record for an international prospect. In all, the Orioles signed 27 players, thirteen for more than $100,000.
On March 12, 20-year old minor leaguer Luis Ortiz died after a battle with cancer. Ortiz, who was originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, signed with the Orioles in 2019 and pitched in the Dominican Summer League in 2021.
Camden Yards
In January 2023, the Orioles announced hospitality company Levy would replace Delaware North as the food and beverage partner at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
On February 1, the Orioles passed on a deadline to exercise a one-time, five-year extension with Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) to stay at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles were under a two-year lease that was to expire on December 31, 2023, and had previously had been on a 30-year lease which expired in 2021. The team and Maryland Governor Wes Moore released a joint statement regarding their commitment to a multi-decade partnership to revitalize Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the surrounding area with the expectation that a long-term deal could be put in place. At the heart of the agreement, a long-term lease would allow the MSA to borrow $600 million for stadium upgrades under a new Maryland law. Governor Moore also made a public appearance at the Orioles' spring training ballpark to promote his commitment to the partnership.
Sport betting was legalized in Maryland after the signing of Maryland General Assembly bill HB940 in 2021, allowing for sports wagering at Camden Yards for the first time. The Orioles partnered with Nevada-based SuperBook Sports to open SuperBook Bar & Restaurant in the place of Dempsey's Brew Pub beginning in 2023.
In March, it was reported that the Orioles were considering sale of the naming rights to Camden Yards. The team intended to secure a deal of ten years for approximately $6–8 million per year.
Angelos family controversy
Owner Peter Angelos collapsed in 2017 due to the failure of his aortic valve, and established a trust with his wife, Georgia, and two sons Louis and John as co-trustees to manage the family's assets. John was appointed chairman and CEO of the Orioles and Louis took over the Angelos lawfirm.