The Orioles fired Brandon Hyde in May after the team’s horrible start to the season. The Orioles went 15-28 under Hyde, and then Mike Elias elected third base coach Tony Mansolino as the team’s interim manager with the update that the team would search for a permanent manager after the season. Now, Craig Albernaz is introduced as the new manager on Tuesday.

Albernaz could not be more excited to become the Orioles’ 21st manager. Wearing a No. 55 jersey and sharing the stage with David Rubenstein and GM Mike Elias, the manager said he is ready to compete. He has also revealed his roadmap for 2026.

“We have to be a diverse offense. We have to do the little things right. When guys are struggling or going through a little rut, you have to find a way to keep the line moving and be productive for your team. … That’s something we’re going to preach.”

In over 40% of Baltimore’s games this season, hitters struck out 10 or more times. And overall, almost a quarter of all plate appearances ended in a strikeout. Their 24.2% strikeout rate was the third-worst in baseball. They whiffed around 20% of the time when the hitters swung at a pitch inside the zone. Plus, Baltimore had an 18.5% line-drive rate, the second-lowest in the league.

Not to argue that their 75-87 record is proof enough for the decline, recording a .699 OPS ranked 21st among 30 teams. So, the new skipper’s plan makes sense!

Albernaz continued, “To do it in such a historic franchise as the Baltimore Orioles, it really is a dream come true….. I just can’t wait for the fans to come out, to watch our boys compete because we’re going to play a very exciting brand of baseball.” He also revealed that he will adopt a mix of analytics and fundamentals to highlight the Orioles’ attributes.

“The best managers in this game, they adapt to the players around them. They don’t have one set way of doing things,” the new manager remarked. “That’s the way I see this, you know, myself and the coaching staff are really going to hone in on the players’ strengths,” he added.

“It’s going to be a great bounce-back year for this group,” Albernaz said. “I can’t wait. I’m excited,” he exclaimed.

Albernaz was working as an associate manager for the Guardians in 2025. Before that, he was the Guardians’ bench coach in 2024. From 2020 to 2023, the Orioles manager worked as the catching coach for the Giants.

While the Orioles are ready to enter 2026 under Craig Albernaz, the team’s offseason maneuvering has already kicked into gear on another front.

Cubs ship vital reliever back to the Orioles

In an unexpected development just after acquiring him, the Chicago Cubs traded reliever Andrew Kittredge back to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for money.

Kittredge was a vital late-inning arm down the stretch for Chicago, whose 2026 bullpen is in major flux, with only one key reliever under control. The 35-year-old was initially traded from Baltimore to the Cubs at the deadline and appeared in 21.2 innings, boasting a stellar 3.32 ERA with 32 strikeouts. Kittredge also appeared in 5 games in the playoffs, recording a 5.40 ERA in 5 innings.

But the veteran picked up the save in the Cubs Game 3 win over the Padres in the NL Wild Card Series.

Now, Kittredge is inherited by the Orioles’ 9 million club option for 2026, a decision that might affect Craig Albernaz’s broader vision for a poised and analytics-forward roster. 

For Baltimore, reacquiring a proven high-strikeout reliever solidifies a bullpen that saw huge turnover during their 2025 struggles, but it also puts pressure on the front office to decide whether the financial obligation aligns with the franchise’s long-term plans.

The Orioles’ decision to reacquire Andrew Kittredge points out both intent and urgency. With Craig Albernaz ready to start with a new approach and needing to strengthen the bullpen, Baltimore is trying to stay competitive with bold moves.