Cleveland Guardians’ Next Manager Could Be New To The Major League Position

Craig Albernaz and Carlos Mendoza are two candidates potentially being considered for Cleveland's managerial vacancy.

The last manager for the Cleveland Guardians, Terry Francona, was familiar with what it took to manage an MLB club.

Before becoming Cleveland’s manager in October of 2012, he had managed for a combined 12 MLB seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies (1997-2000) and Boston Red Sox (2004-2011), winning a pair of World Series titles with Boston.

On the contrary, the Guardians’ next manager could be someone who is managing at the MLB level for the first time.

On Saturday, Zack Meisel, who covers the Guardians for The Athletic, made an appearance on 92.3 The Fan’s radio show The Barber Shop with Garrett Bush. He discussed Cleveland’s current search for Francona’s successor.

“I think it’s going to be someone sort of under the radar. That’s what the odds would say here,” Meisel said. “For them [the Guardians], I don’t think they care if it’s a huge name, or someone that’s going to get everybody excited. They just want it to be someone who they feel can kind of continue the principles that Francona helped them build over the last decade.”

According to Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes, one candidate scheduled to interview for the position was San Francisco Giants bullpen and catching coach Craig Albernaz. While he does not have any Major League managing experience, the 40-year-old managed two championship-winning teams in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

Aug 26, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) and bullpen/catching coach Craig Albernaz (0) walk onto the field wearing San Francisco Sea Lions jerseys in honor of the Negro League team that played in San Francisco for one season in 1946 as part of the club's celebration of African American Heritage before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Oracle Park / © Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Another candidate of interest for the Guardians, per Hoynes, is New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza. The 43-year-old also has no MLB managing experience, but managed two seasons in the Yankees organization, including the 2011 Gulf Coast League Champion GCL Yankees.

Jun 6, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza (64) reacts after being ejected during the tenth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium / © Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Given these latest updates, someone’s MLB managing career may begin in Cleveland next season.