Stephen Vogt Shuts Down Talk Of Leaving Cleveland For Seattle

Staying in Cleveland

Stephen Vogt is not going anywhere. The Cleveland manager shut down talk linking him to the open Seattle Mariners job, stating clearly that he plans to stay right where he is.

"I'm here," Vogt said on Thursday. "I'm coming back."

Speculation grew because Vogt has family roots in Olympia, Washington, and served as Seattle's bullpen coach in 2023. The Mariners recently fired Dan Wilson after finishing 76-86, leaving an opening close to Vogt's home. The 41 year old manager stated that Seattle has not called him, and Cleveland president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti made it clear the club has no interest in letting him manage anywhere else.

Family Life and Another Division Title

Living far from his wife Alyssa and their three children remains tough on Vogt. His family visits in the summer, but his daughter is now in high school and his sons are getting older with more activities. Still, Vogt explained that his wife constantly supports him and reminds him that he is doing what he is supposed to do.

Cleveland has enjoyed great success under Vogt. He has guided the club to a division title in all three of his seasons in charge and has twice won American League Manager of the Year.

This past season, one of the youngest rosters in baseball recovered from a slow start, caught Chicago to take the division, and wiped out a 0-2 deficit against the White Sox in the Division Series. Their run ended against Tampa Bay in the American League Championship Series, leaving Cleveland with baseball's longest title drought at 76 years.

Staff Returns and Pitching Decisions

Guardians leadership is already preparing for the next push. Pitching coach Carl Willis will return for his 15th season with the franchise across two separate stints. Antonetti noted that Willis remains fiercely competitive and wants to bring a World Series to Cleveland.

Vogt also addressed pitcher Tanner Bibee, who saw limited action in October. Vogt explained that the staff chose to rely on left handed pitchers against Tampa Bay. That decision left Bibee upset, but Vogt said the two had open and candid talks before Game 6 and during exit interviews. Vogt made clear that Bibee remains a huge piece of the team for a long time.