The Baltimore Orioles are in the final stages of hiring Craig Albernaz as their new manager, according to reports from ESPN. Albernaz, who is 42 years old, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as the associate manager for the Cleveland Guardians during the past season under Stephen Vogt. He also held the position of major league field coordinator for the Guardians and has a background as a bullpen coach with the San Francisco Giants. Additionally, Albernaz has experience coaching and managing at various levels within the Tampa Bay Rays’ farm system. As a player, he spent nine seasons in the minor leagues as a catcher, primarily with the Rays and Detroit Tigers, reaching as high as Triple-A.
Albernaz takes over an Orioles roster that boasts a promising core of young position players, all in their twenties. However, following a season that ended with a disappointing 75-87 record and a last-place finish in the American League East, expectations are high. The Orioles had reached the postseason in both 2023 and 2024, which raised hopes for continued success. This led to the mid-season dismissal of manager Brandon Hyde. While interim manager Tony Masolino managed to finish the season with a respectable record of 60-59, it was decided that a new direction was needed in the dugout.
With Albernaz stepping in, the pressure is now on him and the Orioles’ decision-maker, Mike Elias, to revitalize the team and push for playoff success for the first time in over a decade. The challenges they face include Elias’s cautious approach to trading prospects for immediate needs and the constraints of ownership regarding payroll investments.
As the Orioles prepare to announce Albernaz as their new leader, the list of teams still seeking managerial candidates for the 2026 season has dwindled to five: the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and Minnesota Twins. The movement within the managerial landscape may also reflect a broader trend in Major League Baseball as teams seek innovative leadership to navigate the increasingly competitive environment. Albernaz’s expertise could prove beneficial in steering the Orioles back to contention in the coming years.