The Washington Nationals’ managerial search appears to be gaining steam. According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has interviewed with the club about its open manager position. Hyde is the first known candidate to meet with Washington officials as the organization turns its attention from front office hires to the dugout.
New President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni has now been on the job for about a month, and while the Nationals haven’t ruled out retaining interim manager Miguel Cairo, early signs suggest Toboni is leaning toward hiring his own choice to lead the clubhouse. His front office overhaul has already begun — just yesterday, Justin Horowitz was hired as assistant general manager, signaling a new era of leadership within the Nationals’ baseball operations department.
Hyde brings a familiar face to the Beltway. He managed the Baltimore Orioles for parts of seven seasons, guiding the club through a grueling rebuild before emerging as a contender. Though his overall winning percentage sits at .461, that number masks the steady progress made during his tenure. Baltimore enjoyed three straight winning campaigns under Hyde, including postseason appearances in 2023 and 2024. While the Orioles couldn’t break through in October, Hyde established a reputation for steady leadership and player development during a transformative period for the franchise.
If Washington is looking for a manager who’s weathered a rebuild and brought a young roster to respectability, Hyde fits that profile. As Toboni continues to shape both the front office and the field staff, Hyde’s Beltway roots — and his experience navigating a rebuild from the ground up — make him an intriguing name to watch in the Nationals’ search.
This connection feels like more than a routine interview. Brandon Hyde’s success developing young talent in Baltimore matches what Paul Toboni has emphasized since arriving in Washington: structure, patience, and culture. If the Nationals want someone who understands the long game of transforming a clubhouse — and can handle the pressures of a transitional roster — Hyde checks all the boxes. Whether this early conversation leads somewhere remains to be seen, but it’s clear the Nationals have their eyes on managerial experience that fits their long-term vision.