With reports circulating around during the week saying that Cleveland Guardians were going to lose bench coach Craig Albernaz to one of the teams looking for a manager, the organization was close to losing one of the most important members of their staff.
Albernaz, in his first year as a bench coach in Cleveland, became Stephen Vogt’s right hand and teams noticed him.
They identified him as one of the best up-and-coming managerial candidates in the game today.
He was, in fact, considered for the Chicago White Sox managerial opening and one of the finalists for the Miami Marlins gig.
With Will Venable going to the Windy City, the road was clear for Albernaz to join the Fish.
That won’t be happening now, though.
“Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz withdrew from consideration for the Miami Marlins managerial job, sources tell ESPN. He had done the same with the Chicago White Sox. Albernaz will remain in Cleveland. He is regarded by front offices as a future big league manager,” MLB insider Jeff Passan posted on X.
Cleveland Guardians bench coach Craig Albernaz withdrew from consideration for the Miami Marlins managerial job, sources tell ESPN. He had done the same with the Chicago White Sox. Albernaz will remain in Cleveland. He is regarded by front offices as a future big league manager.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 31, 2024
In other words, Albernaz prefers to keep getting experience in a bench coach role rather than going to two rebuilding franchises that are going to demand wins when their rosters are in shambles.
His day to take over as an MLB manager will eventually come, and he doesn’t seem to be in a rush to take over just any team.
In the meantime, he will keep being part of one of the youngest and most exciting organizations in baseball.
NEXT: Guardians Enter Key Offseason With A Full 40-Man Roster
