When the Baltimore Orioles fired long-time manager Brandon Hyde in mid-May, it was a forgone conclusion that this offseason would include a manager search.
With names like Bob Melvin, Bruce Bochy, Ryan Flaherty and other big name veteran skippers available, many in Birdland salivated at the thought of a manager with postseason experience. Someone who has worked with both young and experienced players and who could properly manage a pitching staff.
With all the talent available on the big league club and coming up through the minors, it was a crucial area President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias had to get right, not only for the future of the club going forward but for his future with the organization as well.
As Birdland watched and waited, looking for any information pertaining to an interview, a rumor or confirmation, the news came out late Sunday evening that the Orioles were finalizing a deal to name former Cleveland Guardians associate manager Craig Albernaz as the new skipper in Charm City.
Albernaz, 42, is from Fall River, Massachusetts, and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006. He played with the Rays and Detroit Tigers and would throw out 44% of attempted would-be base stealers before ending his career in 2014.
In 2015, Albernaz moved to coaching within the Rays organization. Starting in rookie ball, by 2018, Albernaz was managing the High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods, in which he was named Midwest League Manager of the Year.
After spending 2019 as one of the Rays’ minor league field coordinators, Albernaz was then hired by the San Francisco Giants to be their bullpen and catching coach, which he would hold through the 2023 season.
The Giants held one of the best bullpens in 2021 during their 107-win season and was one of the best in baseball in the middle of the 2023 season before overwork caused them to falter down the stretch.
The Cleveland Guardians would hire Albernaz after the 2023 season to be the team’s bench coach, making him their associate manager three days later.
Albernaz helped coach back-to-back first place teams with the Guardians, part of the reason he was in high demand for managerial openings across the league.
His young age, ability to work and relate with younger players and his ability to work with a bullpen and catchers, the latter a position the Orioles are rich in, made him a valuable and smart pick to fill the opening.
Now that the Orioles have a new head of the nest, the offseason is officially underway. With the World Series currently being played, the Orioles can now introduce their new manager and start preparing for the offseason work ahead.
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