Can you believe Vogt turned down Seattle? The Guardians’ manager, deeply rooted in Washington, said Thursday he’s staying put in Cleveland.
“I’m staying in Cleveland,” Vogt told Tim Stebbins of MLB.com and other reporters. “I’m here. I’m returning.”
The 2027 campaign marks Vogt’s fourth season at the helm, a stretch that produced three straight AL Central crowns. After clinching Manager of the Year honors in 2024‑25, he’s once again in the finalist mix. He guided Cleveland to its second ALCS appearance in 2026, only to fall in six games to Tampa Bay, which rallied from a 2‑1 series deficit with a 17‑7 run. Despite opening the year with a league‑lowest payroll around $75 million, the club’s deep run was impressive.
“Our home and our family are sacred,” Vogt told Meisel. “We adore Cleveland, its summer vibe, and my life here. I only wish I could be in two spots at once.”
With Vogt confirmed, he and Antonetti expect Carl Willis and the rest of the coaches to return, Meisel reports. Willis, who first joined the club from 2003‑09 and came back as pitching coach in October 2017, is set to turn 66 in December and likely stays another year. Under his guidance, the Guardians posted the league’s eighth‑best ERA in 2026. Right‑hander Gavin Williams topped the AL with 248 strikeouts, lefty Parker Messick emerged as a Rookie of the Year candidate, and closer Cade Smith dominated hitters for a third straight season. For my money, Willis’ steady hand will keep the staff together.