The Orioles are in the final stages of negotiations with Craig Albernaz to become the team’s next head coach, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. Prior to Passan’s report, Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote that Albernaz was the “frontrunner” in the Orioles’ search.
It’s a pretty early birthday present for Albernaz, who turns 43 later this week. Albernaz served as the team’s bench coach through 2024 and served as the Guardians’ assistant manager this year after four seasons on the Giants staff as bullpen coach and catching coach. Prior to his time on the major league staff, Albernaz spent four years in the Rays’ farm system, including managerial roles in both High-A and Low-A. Albernaz is a former player who primarily played receiver in the Rays and Tigers farm systems from 2006-14.
Albernaz’s job at the Guardian grew after Cleveland interviewed him for their last managerial opening, and Stephen Vogt Then hired Albernaz to join his coaching staff. Albernaz, a finalist in the White Sox and Marlins coaching searches last offseason, was linked to the Giants’ vacancy this year and interviewed with the Nationals. There’s no public indication that Albernaz is running for the Baltimore office, but it’s not surprising that the O-Party is eyeing a candidate who has become so popular in recent years.
Like former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, Albernaz became a full-time MLB manager for the first time and did so at a relatively young age (Hyde was 45 when he was hired in December 2018). The hiring of O’s president of baseball operations Mike Elias is much different this time around — Hyde was hired to oversee the Orioles as they embark on a rebuild, while Albernaz will oversee the Orioles’ rebuilding efforts. Get competitors back on track.
With a winning season in 2022 and playoff appearances in both 2023 and 2024, Baltimore’s rebuild appears to have paid off. However, a series of pitching injuries and near-teamwide offensive struggles essentially put the Orioles in trouble this year, as Hyde was fired in May when the team was 15-28.
Tony Mansolino After being promoted from third base coach to interim manager, Mansolino compiled a 60-59 record, making Mansolino a candidate for full-time coaching this offseason. The Orioles have also been linked to former Mariners manager Scott Servais, a former Mets manager Luis Rojasand superstars albert pujols Add Cubs bench coach and former O’s player to their managerial search Ryan Flaherty It is reportedly under consideration.
Albernaz doesn’t have the experience or name recognition of other candidates, but he would be the latest in a long line of captains who have been linked to the Guardians and/or Rays in the past. These two teams have made a habit of staying competitive while focusing on player development, which will be crucial for the O’s, who need some young building blocks to bounce back from a lackluster 2025 season. With the coaching search over, how the Orioles bolster their young core with offseason additions is now Elias’ next target.
It’s been a busy offseason of front office hiring and firing, and we’re not even halfway through the 2026 roster looking for a new captain. Orioles join Angels (Kurt Suzuki), Giants (Tony Vitlow) and Rangers (Skip Shoemaker) as the first team to hire a new manager, while the Nationals, Padres, Twins, Braves and Rockies are still looking for one.
Illustration by Joe Camporeale — Imagn Images
