News Summary
The Baltimore Orioles are in the final stages of hiring Craig Albernaz as their new manager, aiming to improve after a lackluster season. Albernaz, previously part of the Cleveland Guardians coaching staff, is expected to revitalize the team, which features promising young talent. Following the dismissal of Brandon Hyde, interim manager Tony Mansolino led the team to a 75-87 finish. With this change, the Orioles hope to return to playoff contention in a challenging division.
Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore Orioles are nearing an agreement to hire Craig Albernaz as their new manager, according to sources familiar with the situation. This development comes as the team looks to improve after a disappointing 2025 season where they finished last in the American League East.
The confirmation of Albernaz’s impending hiring follows earlier reports, and he is set to take over the managerial role previously held by Brandon Hyde, who was terminated in May 2025. Following Hyde’s dismissal, interim manager Tony Mansolino guided the team to a 60-59 record, finishing the season at 75-87.
Albernaz, who is currently 42 years old, will celebrate his 43rd birthday on Thursday. He spent the last two seasons on the coaching staff of the Cleveland Guardians, during which time the team achieved notable success, clinching the AL Central title in both 2023 and 2024. Under Albernaz’s guidance, the Guardians made a deep playoff run, finishing the 2024 season with a record of 92-69 and reaching the AL Championship Series. The following season, while the Guardians recorded 88 wins and 74 losses, they fell short in the AL Wild Card Series against the Tigers.
The Orioles are counting on Albernaz to revitalize their struggling roster, characterized by a lack of robust pitching depth but bolstered by a promising group of young players including Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday. The team is under significant pressure to return to playoff contention after reaching the postseason in the previous two years, only to be eliminated without a playoff victory during Hyde’s tenure.
Prior to his coaching career, Albernaz played as a minor league catcher from 2006 to 2014, spending time in the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers organizations. He transitioned into coaching, serving as the bullpen and catching coach for the San Francisco Giants from 2020 to 2023. Albernaz has garnered attention as a managerial candidate in recent years, having been a finalist for both the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins managerial openings last offseason, but opted to remain with the Guardians at that time.
With the hiring of Albernaz, the number of managerial vacancies across Major League Baseball has narrowed to five teams: the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and Minnesota Twins. Albernaz’s appointment marks the second managerial hire for Orioles general manager Mike Elias since he assumed his role in November 2018.
As the Orioles approach the 2026 season, expectations are high for an immediate turnaround. The organization is optimistic that the combination of a solid core of young talent and Albernaz’s leadership can lead to recovery and competitiveness in a tough AL East division.
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