Baltimore Orioles Seek Revival Under New Manager Craig Albernaz

After a disappointing season in 2025, the Baltimore Orioles are making a strategic shift by hiring Craig Albernaz as their new manager for the 2026 season. Reports from ESPN's Jeff Passan indicate that the Orioles are in the final stages of finalizing a deal with the Cleveland Guardians' associate manager.

Having entered the previous seasons on a high note, the Orioles achieved back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, which included an impressive 101 wins in 2023. Expectations were high as they boasted one of the most promising young rosters in Major League Baseball, with standout players like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman leading the charge. Their farm system was also ranked as the best in MLB entering the 2024 season, featuring top prospects such as Jackson Holliday.

However, the Orioles’ fortunes took a turn for the worse following the All-Star break in the 2024 season. They entered the break with a strong 58-38 record, tied for the most wins in the American League with the Guardians and Yankees. In the 228 games since then, their performance has significantly declined, leading to a combined record of 108-120 by the end of the 2025 season. The struggles prompted management to part ways with Brandon Hyde, who was previously named American League Manager of the Year in 2023, after a 15-28 start in the 2025 season. Interim manager Tony Mansolino managed to steady the ship with a 60-59 record, but deeper issues remain for the Orioles.

This decline is particularly concerning for their star players. Gunnar Henderson had a solid, yet underwhelming 2025 campaign, while Rutschman’s numbers have consistently dropped since his breakout rookie year in 2022. Rutschman struggled through injuries last season and posted a disappointing .220/.307/.366 batting line. Meanwhile, 2024’s number one overall pick Jackson Holliday is yet to fully realize his potential, but with his 22nd birthday approaching in December, fans and management alike hold out hope for his future growth.

One significant obstacle for the Orioles has been their reluctance to heavily invest in free agency to complement their young talents. While they made some acquisitions last offseason, none were deemed significant enough to alter the competitive landscape in the American League East. Albernaz's first major challenge will be to unlock the full potential of Henderson, Holliday, and Rutschman, creating a formidable trio capable of anchoring the lineup.