News Summary
The Baltimore Orioles are set to hire Craig Albernaz as their new manager as they aim to revitalize their roster after a disappointing season. Albernaz, who previously served on the Guardians’ coaching staff, has limited managerial experience but has gained attention for leading teams to success. With a promising young core, the franchise looks to Albernaz to improve their standing in the competitive AL East, following a season of inconsistent performance under interim management.
Baltimore – The Baltimore Orioles are on the verge of finalizing a deal to hire Craig Albernaz as their new manager, according to a reliable source. This news comes as the team looks to rejuvenate their struggling roster that finished last in the AL East with a record of 75-87 in 2025. The announcement follows a period of uncertainty after the team parted ways with former manager Brandon Hyde in May 2025.
Albernaz, who is currently 42 years old, will celebrate his 43rd birthday on Thursday. His experience in a managerial role has been less extensive compared to some candidates, yet he has gained considerable attention within major league circles. Over the past two seasons, he has been part of the coaching staff with the Cleveland Guardians, helping guide the team to back-to-back AL Central titles in 2023 and 2024.
While Albernaz’s time in the major leagues has been relatively brief, his previous managerial roles include stints with Single-A Hudson Valley in the Rays’ Minor League system in 2017, as well as with Single-A Bowling Green in 2018. His leadership helped the Guardians achieve notable success, including a strong performance in the 2024 season where they finished with a record of 92-69, reaching the AL Championship Series. In 2025, they maintained competitiveness with an 88-74 record but faced elimination in the AL Wild Card Series against the Tigers.
Before his coaching career, Albernaz was a professional baseball player, serving as a minor league catcher from 2006 to 2014 with the Rays and Tigers organizations. His coaching resume is also notable, marked by his role as the bullpen and catching coach for the San Francisco Giants from 2020 to 2023. Despite his limited managerial experience, Albernaz has been a hot commodity in MLB managerial vacancies, being a finalist for positions with the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins last offseason before opting to remain with the Guardians.
The Orioles are looking to turn the tide heading into the 2026 season, capitalizing on a promising young core that includes talents like Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday. The new management has a tall order ahead, particularly following back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, after which the team failed to advance under Hyde, who was unable to secure a playoff victory during his tenure.
In May 2025, the Orioles fired Brandon Hyde due to a disappointing start to the season, subsequently appointing Tony Mansolino as interim manager, who ended the season with a record of 60-59. Albernaz will now be tasked with taking this team to new heights, working to enhance their standings in a competitive AL East division.
The Orioles’ management is also navigating some challenges, as they possess limited pitching depth. However, they hope to see the return of some promising players from injury, which could bolster their roster for the upcoming season. With Albernaz’s impending hiring, the number of managerial vacancies across the league has decreased to five, affecting teams like the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and Minnesota Twins.
The franchise has placed considerable expectations on Albernaz to help orchestrate a quick turnaround. His ability to connect with young players and cultivate their skills will be vital elements in the Orioles’ strategy moving forward. As the announcement nears, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Albernaz will approach this pivotal role in Baltimore.
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