News Summary
The Baltimore Orioles are set to appoint Craig Albernaz as their new manager, marking a significant shift for the team after struggling in recent seasons. Albernaz, who has spent the last two years on the coaching staff of the Cleveland Guardians, aims to revive the Orioles’ fortunes following a disappointing last place finish. With a promising young roster, including talents like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, the Orioles hope to return to competitive play under Albernaz’s leadership and improve on their previous seasons’ records.
Baltimore
The Baltimore Orioles are nearing the finalization of a deal to hire Craig Albernaz as their new manager, signaling a fresh approach for a team that has struggled in recent seasons. This confirmation comes from a reliable source and follows a report from ESPN.
Albernaz, who is currently 42 years old and will turn 43 this Thursday, has spent the last two seasons as a member of the coaching staff for the Cleveland Guardians. He brings diverse experience in managerial roles, having previously led Single-A teams within the Tampa Bay Rays’ Minor League system in both 2017 and 2018.
Despite his limited managerial experience, Albernaz has emerged as a sought-after candidate for Major League Baseball managerial positions. In the previous offseason, he was among the finalists for openings with both the Chicago White Sox and the Miami Marlins but opted to remain with the Guardians. Under his guidance, the Guardians achieved notable success, clinching the American League Central division title in both 2023 and 2024.
In the 2024 season, the Guardians completed the year with a commendable record of 92-69 and advanced to the American League Championship Series. The following season, while the Guardians finished with a respectable 88-74 record, they faced elimination in the Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers.
Before embarking on his coaching career, Albernaz played as a minor league catcher from 2006 to 2014 for both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Detroit Tigers organizations. He also served as the bullpen and catching coach for the San Francisco Giants from 2020 to 2023, further enhancing his resume in professional baseball.
As Albernaz prepares to take on the managerial role with the Orioles, he faces the significant challenge of reversing the fortunes of a team that finished last in the American League East with a 75-87 record in 2025. Following a disappointing start to the season, the Orioles made the decision to fire manager Brandon Hyde in May. Interim manager Tony Mansolino ensured some stability, concluding the season with a 60-59 record.
This will mark the second managerial appointment made by Orioles general manager Mike Elias since he assumed his position in November 2018. The Orioles are under mounting pressure to secure a return to postseason contention after experiencing back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, but failing to secure a playoff victory during that timeframe.
Under Albernaz’s leadership, the Orioles aim for a swift turnaround as they look to capitalize on a promising core of young talent, including players such as Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday. However, the team currently grapples with limited pitching depth, although there are some promising players slated to return from injury in the upcoming season.
With Albernaz’s potential hiring, the number of managerial vacancies in Major League Baseball has decreased to five teams: the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and Minnesota Twins. The Orioles’ decision to move forward with a new manager reflects their commitment to revitalizing their competitiveness in the league.
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