Chris Bassitt Breaks Down Craig Albernaz’s First Year as Baltimore Orioles Manager

Chris Bassitt has backed Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz after a difficult first season in charge, praising his leadership and presence in the clubhouse as the team looks toward 2027.

Speaking on The Ryan Ripken Show, Bassitt said, "He was an unbelievable manager. He was an unbelievable guy for the locker room. He held guys accountable... Things will be implemented and things will be changed but I thought Alby [Albernaz] did an unbelievable job."

Albernaz took over before the 2026 season after Baltimore finished 2025 with a 75-87 record. His first campaign ended with the Orioles going 79-82, placing fourth in the AL East and finishing 18.5 games behind the division-winning Tampa Bay Rays. The club scored 718 runs and allowed 739, finishing below .500 and missing the postseason.

The disappointing result has put attention on what needs to change across the organization. President of baseball operations Mike Elias has acknowledged the season fell short of expectations, while the club has indicated Albernaz will remain part of its plans. Bassitt's support offers a view of the manager's standing inside the clubhouse, even as the team reviews its performance.

Bassitt worked through an injury-disrupted season of his own. The 37-year-old spent time on the 60-day injured list with lower back discomfort after leaving a June start against Boston. He returned August 14th following a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Across 20 appearances including 18 starts, he went 9-5 with a 4.41 ERA and 74 strikeouts over 102 innings.

Bassitt is now headed toward free agency for the second time in two years after signing a one-year deal with Baltimore last winter. He has mentioned retirement as a possibility given his age and family priorities, but if he decides to keep pitching, a reunion with the Orioles cannot be ruled out given the relationship he has built with Albernaz and the organization.

Bassitt has pitched for several organizations and been part of postseason races, making his assessment of Albernaz worth noting as Baltimore considers its next steps.

The Orioles need to improve on both sides of the ball after allowing more runs than they scored in 2026, and a stronger season will require not just better roster construction but continued buy-in from the veterans in the room.

For Albernaz, the challenge is turning the accountability Bassitt praised into better results on the field. Bassitt's words do not erase the team's disappointing record, but they suggest Albernaz has earned genuine respect from at least one veteran voice in that clubhouse heading into a critical offseason.