What went wrong with the 2026 Orioles, according to their players

Key Points:

• Orioles catcher Carlos Narváez initiated a players-only meeting to address the team's struggles, urging teammates to focus on winning collectively rather than individual stats, echoing a successful approach he experienced with the Boston Red Sox.
• The Orioles finished the 2026 season with a 79-82 record, plagued by defensive errors, high strikeout rates, and inconsistent performance, leading to a second consecutive losing season despite individual standout efforts like Pete Alonso's league-leading home runs and RBIs.
• Veteran pitcher Chris Bassitt emphasized the need for cultural change led by key players to set higher standards throughout the organization, including the minor leagues, highlighting that commitment and discipline must come from within the player group.
• The Orioles coaching staff introduced more pregame infield drills to improve fundamentals, but lapses in focus and execution persisted, contributing to costly mistakes in close games and a demoralizing late-season sweep by the Red Sox.
• Despite setbacks, the team remains optimistic about its talented core and believes that with stronger leadership and accountability among players, Baltimore can return to contention in future seasons.