Orioles Finalize Hiring Craig Albernaz as Manager After 2025 AL East Last Place Finish

The Baltimore Orioles are finalizing the hiring of Craig Albernaz, the 42-year-old associate manager from the Cleveland Guardians, to be their next manager. This move comes after Baltimore's disappointing 75-87 finish in the 2025 season, which saw them last in the AL East and led to the firing of Brandon Hyde. Albernaz is highly regarded for his ability to connect with and develop young players, making him an ideal fit for Baltimore's talented but underperforming young core that includes Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday. Albernaz's coaching experience spans the Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Guardians, where he helped guide Cleveland to back-to-back AL Central titles and an AL Championship Series appearance. Known for his affable personality and strong baseball IQ, Albernaz is expected to bring a fresh start and help unite the Orioles clubhouse after a turbulent season. His hiring also represents a significant loss for other teams like the Washington Nationals, who had interviewed him for their managerial opening but ultimately missed out.