Orioles hiring of Jared Banner just started the clock on Craig Albernaz's grace period

After disappointing for the second straight season following their shocking rise to the postseason in 2024, the Baltimore Orioles have already gotten their 2026-27 offseason off to a loud start this week before the ink has even officially dried on the 2026 MLB season. On Monday, the Orioles found themselves an understudy to President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias, hiring Jared Banner as their new GM.

Now, at the end of the day games are won and lost on the field. So, there's no denying that after back-to-back postseason misses, despite once holding a phenomenal looking farm system to fuel the future that's produced some solid traditional core pieces such as Gunnar Henderson and Samuel Basallo, the clock is ticking on their competitive window. The O's can't afford any misses in 2027 meaning perhaps big changes could be in order. And perhaps that comes at the manager's position.

It's no secret that after the Brandon Hyde-era ended the way it did in the Charm City, the expectations on current manager Craig Albernaz were high, especially with a young core that added the slugging veteran Pete Alonso to the fold. So, a 79-82 record was hardly anything to appease the fanbase in Year 1 at the helm.

And looking at their direct competition, the AL East getting no easier. The Tampa Bay Rays sit just four wins away from their first World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays are just a year removed from being a win away from a Commissioner's Trophy themselves and the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox being perennial postseason fixtures. This means that perhaps with a newer-look front office in place, Albernaz could be on the hot seat rather quickly if change doesn't come soon in 2027.

Is Craig Albernaz the only Oriole who needs to watch over their shoulder this winter?

The first name anyone wants to put on the chopping block when things don't go to plan is the manager. However, as mentioned earlier, games are won and lost on the field, and while Albernaz may be manned with the task of determining who takes the field any given night, there's plenty of those names on the field that could see their days in Baltimore numbered.

For starters, Banner and Elias have a looming $20 million decision when the offseason officially gets underway with Luis Robert Jr.'s club option.

It's no secret the outfielder hasn't come close to living up to expectations that many placed upon him after signing his massive seven-year contract with the Chicago White Sox back in 2020. However, while a .182 average through his first three games in Baltimore may not look intriguing, his 116 wRC+, sub-20% K-rate and .545 SLG in that span was certainly a welcome change from his lackluster showings in previous years elsewhere.

And after all, the Orioles claimed him off waivers from the Mets for a reason. Perhaps a one-year investment may be something their willing to consider. The current price tag will be the telling tale.

Then there's the likes of Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday. Both still have plenty of potential, but after 2026 - especially following the shocking trade of their former face of the franchise in Adley Rutschman at the deadline -- perhaps no young name is as safe in Baltimore as anyone thinks under Elias' reign.

Henderson took another pretty substantial step back in 2026 following his rise to stardom in the Orioles' magic year in 2024. From a 154 wRC+ All-Star starter in '24, Henderson only managed to look marginally average with a 101 wRC+, .712 OPS and driving in just 59 runs. Not really face of the franchise material-type numbers.

Holliday may have the status of a first overall draft pick, but the numbers simply haven't been there for the second baseman. He too took yet another step back in 2026 -- following a brief jump to looking near-average in 2025 with a 96 wRC+ -- slashing just .229/.300/.340 with seven homers, 30 RBI, an 85 wRC+ and a mere 0.5 fWAR.

The fact remains as well that their wave of young positional talent just no longer exists in the minor league ranks beyond recently drafted outfield prospect Eric Booth Jr. They've all arrived and unfortunately, the Orioles have just a measly home Wild Card Series sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals to show for it.

Names like Henderson and Holliday may still have enough pedigree to warrant a worthwhile return to compete now -- especially with how weak the projected 2027 free agent market actually is. Teams will surely look to the trade market for improvement more than they might've in years past, so perhaps Banner will hold some of the keys to not only his team's future success, but the MLB offseason in general.

Bottom line though, whoever Albernaz fields on Opening Day, no other member of the Orioles will have a bigger target on their back on Day 1 to perform than him. Because it's not only his keister on the line, there's a new general manager who will surely be looking to be the answer to Baltimore's current competitive problems.

Albernaz isn't Banner's guy at the end of the day, so if things go south from the get-go, change has to be inevitable. Right?

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