### New Era for the Baltimore Orioles: Craig Albernaz Takes the Helm The Baltimore Orioles have officially appointed Craig Albernaz as their new manager, marking a significant shift in the franchise's direction following a disappointing 75-87 season in 2025. Albernaz, who previously served as the associate manager for the Cleveland Guardians, is stepping into a role that the team hopes will revitalize its competitive edge. The Orioles, who had a remarkable 101 wins in 2023 and 91 in 2024, are looking to leverage their existing talent under Albernaz's leadership to return to playoff contention. This managerial change comes after the firing of Brandon Hyde, who had been with the team for six seasons, indicating a desire for fresh strategies and renewed energy within the organization [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/orioles_hire_craig_albernaz_as_new_manager/s1_17194_42974247][https://www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/orioles-announce-hiring-of-craig-albernaz-as-manager]. ### Breakdown of the Managerial Transition 1. **Appointment Details** - Craig Albernaz has been named the 21st manager in Orioles history, officially announced on October 27, 2025 [https://www.nottinghammd.com/2025/10/27/craig-albernaz-manager-orioles]. - The decision follows a thorough search process, with Albernaz emerging as a top candidate due to his recent success with the Guardians [https://www.espn.ph/mlb/story/_/id/46740054/orioles-tab-craig-albernaz-next-manager-sources-say]. 2. **Background of Craig Albernaz** - Albernaz, 42, has a background as a minor league player and has been involved in coaching since 2024, first as a bench coach and then as associate manager for the Guardians [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/meet_craig_albernaz_the_new_orioles_manager/s1_17200_42973442]. - His coaching style is noted for its emphasis on preparation and communication, which the Orioles hope will translate into improved team performance [https://www.camdenchat.com/baltimore-orioles-analysis/62219/orioles-manager-hire-craig-albernaz]. 3. **Expectations and Challenges** - The Orioles are banking on Albernaz's experience to harness the potential of a young roster that previously achieved significant success [https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/cleveland-guardians/orioles-hire-guardians-coach-craig-albernaz-as-manager]. - The team aims to rebound from its last-place finish in the AL East and return to playoff contention, leveraging the core players who contributed to their earlier successes [https://www.thespec.com/sports/baseball/orioles-hire-cleveland-assistant-craig-albernaz-as-manager-after-finishing-last-in-al-east/article_5dddd0d9-3781-518e-9e31-7500708baafa.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Recent Performance Metrics** - 2023 Season: 101 wins - 2024 Season: 91 wins - 2025 Season: 75 wins, last in AL East [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/orioles_hire_craig_albernaz_as_new_manager/s1_17194_42974247]. - **Albernaz's Coaching Experience** - 2024: Bench Coach for Cleveland Guardians - 2025: Associate Manager for Cleveland Guardians - Total Major League Coaching Experience: 6 seasons [https://www.baltimorebaseball.com/sports/orioles-mlb/2025/10/27/orioles-announce-hiring-albernaz-manager-richdubroff]. ### Conclusion: A Fresh Start for the Orioles In summary, the Baltimore Orioles' hiring of Craig Albernaz as their new manager represents a pivotal moment for the franchise. The organization is looking to capitalize on Albernaz's coaching acumen to revitalize a team that has shown promise in previous seasons. The key points of this transition include: 1. **New Leadership**: Albernaz's appointment signals a fresh approach after a disappointing season. 2. **Coaching Background**: His experience with the Guardians positions him well to lead the Orioles. 3. **Future Aspirations**: The team aims to leverage its existing talent to return to playoff contention. With Albernaz at the helm, the Orioles are poised for a transformative season ahead, aiming to reclaim their status as a competitive force in Major League Baseball [https://www.masnsports.com/blog/entry/orioles-announce-hiring-of-craig-albernaz-as-manager][https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/meet_craig_albernaz_the_new_orioles_manager/s1_17200_42973442].