Hyde to return as O's skipper in 2022

PHILADELPHIA -- It appears Brandon Hyde isn’t going anywhere.

Hyde confirmed following Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies that he will return as Orioles manager in 2022, shortly after multiple reports surfaced saying he’d signed a contract extension last winter. The Athletic first reported the extension, which runs through 2022.

“I can’t comment on my contract status, but I’m very excited to come back,” Hyde said.

The situation had been open to speculation in recent weeks, with club officials and Hyde both declining to publicly disclose their plans for next season. Hired at the 2018 Winter Meetings, Hyde originally signed a three-year deal with a club option for 2022 as the Orioles embarked on a multi-year rebuilding plan under new executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. The terms of that deal were never disclosed; the financial details of Hyde’s extension are also unknown.

What's known is the Orioles renegotiated with Hyde after the 2020 season, adding an additional guaranteed year to the original deal. Hyde owns a 127-247 record after Wednesday’s loss to the Phillies, and a .340 winning percentage across parts of three seasons at the helm in Baltimore. The winning percentage is the lowest for a full-time O’s skipper in club history, but that's seen more as a reflection of the situation than Hyde's managerial tactics.

When asked publicly about Hyde’s contract status in recent months, Elias repeatedly stated the skipper wouldn’t be judged on wins and losses, given the Orioles’ oft-stated rebuilding goals. Hyde has also routinely drawn praise from players, team officials, and recently, opposing managers for his positivity and perseverance during difficult stretches, like the team’s multiple double-digit losing streaks this season.