Rays in Talks to Bring Brandon Hyde into Front Office

The Tampa Bay Rays are in discussions to add Brandon Hyde, the former Baltimore Orioles manager, to their baseball operations department in a senior advisor capacity, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Hyde, 52, would provide organizational support across multiple areas if the deal is completed, which is expected to be finalized next week. The Rays have not officially confirmed the potential hire, which was first reported by FanSided's Robert Murray.

From Rebuild to Contention in Baltimore

Hyde spent nearly seven seasons at the helm in Baltimore, overseeing the Orioles' transformation from rebuilding club to playoff contender. His efforts earned him American League Manager of the Year honors in 2023, when Baltimore posted a franchise-best 101 wins and captured their first AL East division title in nine years.

However, postseason success proved elusive. The Orioles were swept by the Rangers in the 2023 AL Division Series and fell to the Royals in the 2024 Wild Card round. This past season brought disappointment, as Baltimore stumbled to a 75-87 record and dismissed Hyde on May 17 following a 15-28 start.

A Career Built on Experience

Hyde's baseball journey spans multiple decades and various roles throughout the sport. He worked extensively under former Rays manager Joe Maddon with the Chicago Cubs, serving as bench coach in 2014 and 2018, and first base coach from 2015-17. His Cubs tenure also included front office positions as director of player development and Minor League field coordinator.

Prior to Chicago, Hyde spent nine years in the Marlins organization, working as a big league bench coach, Minor League infield coordinator, and manager at three different Minor League levels. His coaching career began in Miami as a Minor League hitting coach after a four-year playing career in the White Sox system.

His lone Major League managing experience before Baltimore came in 2011 when he filled in for one game as the Marlins' interim manager, ironically, a loss to the Rays.

What Hyde Brings to Tampa Bay

Hyde's diverse background, combining front office expertise, player development knowledge, and big league managing experience, aligns well with Tampa Bay's analytical and development-focused approach. His successful rebuild in Baltimore mirrors the Rays' own organizational philosophy of sustainable success through smart decision-making and player development.

The addition would provide the Rays with another experienced voice in their baseball operations department as they continue to navigate the challenges of competing in the highly competitive AL East.