Any business conducted by the Orioles this month is mostly done behind closed doors with limited or no information available, especially interviews for the managerial position. The process was advancing, but very quietly.

It's almost finished. The secrecy has broken apart.

A source confirmed this afternoon that the Orioles interviewed Guardians associate manager Craig Albernaz for the job and expected him to be hired. Multiple reports tonight have the Orioles finalizing a deal with Albernaz, who will inherit a team that went 75-87 and sat in the cellar of the American League East.

Albernaz will become the 21st manager in Orioles history, not counting interims, since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954. He was Cleveland's bench coach in 2024 before earning a promotion. The Massachusetts native was a finalist for the managing job that went to Stephen Vogt.

The Washington Post reported that Albernaz interviewed for the Nationals job within the last week. So did Brandon Hyde, hired by the Orioles in December 2018 and fired in May after back-to-back playoff appearances. Hyde was a two-time Sporting News Manager of the Year in the American League before the Orioles tumbled into last place this season.

Albernaz, who turns 43 on Thursday, spent four years on the Giants’ staff as a bullpen/catching coach before joining the Guardians, and also four seasons in a variety of roles, including manager, in the Rays’ farm system. He was named the 2018 Midwest League Manager of the Year.

Albernaz worked in 2019 as one of the Rays' minor league field coordinators. He seems to have a similar background to Hyde, who also hadn’t managed in the majors but brought a diverse resume.

Another similarity is their playing position. They were minor league catchers who didn’t reach the majors. Albernaz topped out at Triple-A, most recently with the Durham Bulls in 2013. He spent 2014 with Double-A Erie.

Yankees third base coach Luis Rojas is among others who interviewed with the Orioles, who reportedly had some interest in Albert Pujols and Scott Servais. Former Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty, now the Cubs’ bench coach, was informed that he wouldn’t get the job, according to another source.

The Orioles promoted third base coach/infield instructor Tony Mansolino to interim manager on May 17 and they went 60-59 under his guidance. President of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias called Mansolino “a real candidate” for the full-time position during the season-ending press conference.

Elias also didn’t emphasize the importance of having an experienced manager with a track record. Buck Showalter brought it and the Orioles went to the playoffs in 2012, ’14 and ’16.

“I think experience is usually, overwhelmingly usually, a big positive,” Elias said. “It is, in our particular situation, I think it will definitely carry a lot of weight. But if you look at history, it is not a requisite for managerial success and it's not necessary and nor does it guarantee success.”

The entire coaching staff could change under Albernaz, though a first-time manager might be more inclined to accept a holdover. Mansolino isn't expected to return, per a source. 

Elias wasn’t ready immediately after the season to discuss personnel moves, whether coaching, scouting or anyone in the front office.

“I just don’t think that’s fair,” he said. “So we’ll see how the pieces come together and what happens over the next couple weeks, but that’s all pressing business for our front office, as it always is after a season.”

The Orioles also could hire a general manager in the offseason after Elias’ promotion from executive vice president/GM during the early spring. However, that position wasn’t treated as a priority compared to manager.

An announcement on Albernaz could come later in the week, since teams are discouraged from revealing major moves on days that World Series games are played.