The Washington Nationals have recently intensified their search for a new manager, conducting interviews with notable candidates including Miguel Cairo and Cleveland Guardians associate manager Craig Albernaz. This information comes from Andrew Golden of the Washington Post. Albernaz, who has been a sought-after name for managerial positions over the past two years, was a finalist for managerial openings with the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins, and he also has experience as a bench coach in Cleveland this past season after four seasons with the San Francisco Giants and previous roles in the Tampa Bay Rays’ minor league system.
In addition to Albernaz, the Nationals have interviewed Brandon Hyde, marking him as the first known candidate for the managerial position. Hyde’s familiarity with the Washington area stems from his tenure managing the Baltimore Orioles for nearly seven seasons. Although the Orioles experienced challenges during early phases of a rebuild, Hyde successfully led the team to three consecutive winning seasons, including playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. Despite a rough start to this season that resulted in his dismissal in May, Hyde remains hopeful for another managerial opportunity and has been involved in discussions regarding coaching positions elsewhere.
Paul Toboni, who took over as president of baseball operations a month ago, is striving to shape the team’s front office. While the organization has not entirely ruled out retaining Cairo, it appears more likely that Toboni will pursue a manager of his choosing as part of a broader effort to revitalize the team. Recent changes include the appointment of Justin Horowitz as assistant general manager.
As the Nationals navigate their rebuilding phase, the emphasis on a thorough search for a new manager underscores their commitment to a transformative future, aiming for success in a highly competitive league.