Stephen Vogt not only exceeded expectations in his rookie year as manager he ended as a finalist for AL Manager of the Year. The Guardians won 92 games in the regular season and made it to the ALCS for the first time since 2016.

Vogt credits his success as first-year manager to the coaching staff he was surrounded with. On Wednesday, the organization announced their on-field staff as they prepare for the 2025 MLB season.

Pitching coach, Carl Willis, is remaining with Cleveland for his 15th season. Rumors had swirled that Willis may retire or even join former Guardians manager Terry Francona in Cincinnati. Vogt spoke to the media on Wednesday regarding the staff changes and he had this to say about Willis,

“I couldn’t be more thankful that Carl is coming back – what he means to this organization and what he means to me, our pitchers and to the rest of our staff - we lean on him a lot. For Carl to want to come back to be with us, we couldn’t be more thrilled. I know I’m looking forward to sitting next to him for another season and him having to hear my words during the game and calm me down and things like that but what he means to this organization and our pitchers I can’t say enough about it.”

Another big part of the staff that will remain in Cleveland is Craig Albernaz. He was promoted from bench coach to Associate Manager. Albernaz was an integral part of Vogt’s staff last season, and he was highly sought after by other teams wanting him as manager. The Miami Marlins and Chicago White Sox were two of the teams in the mix. Vogt praised Albernaz, “ For him to get the two opportunities and for him to come back to us speaks to who Albie is. We always want what’s best for our people and fortunately that’s back with us. His responsibilities won’t change there’s just the recognition that you’re more than a bench coach.”

The team promoted Grant Fink, the club’s minor-league hitting coordinator, to the role of ML hitting coach. Fink is replacing Chris Valaika who did join Tito in Cincinnati. Offense has often been a struggle for the Guardians and a change in this position could be the spark needed. Vogt elaborated saying, ““with Grant coming onboard…he’s taken the reins the past few years in the minor leagues, and we just feel like Grant is going to help the rest of the hitting group and our players head in the right direction. What we’re really excited about is the way he interacts with the other coaches and the players …the content knowledge is there. This is a person who has worked diligently to learn and to continue to learn and we really feel like with him to use the relationships he already has while also just driving that hitting staff as a group.”

Fan favorite Sandy Alomar Jr. will be back as first-base coach for his 16th season. Alomar will also continue to work with the team’s catchers.

The staff is set as the following:

Manager Stephen Vogt

Associate Manager Craig Albernaz

ML Field Coordinator/Dir. of Defense, Baserunningand Game Strategy Kai Correa

First Base/Catching Sandy Alomar, Jr.

Infield/Third Base Coach Rouglas Odor

Pitching Coach Carl Willis

Hitting Coach Grant Fink

Asst. Pitching Coach Joe Torres

Asst. Hitting Coach Dan Puente

Bullpen Coach Brad Goldberg

Asst. Hitting Coach Jason Esposito

Outfield Coach JT Maguire

ML Hitting Analyst Josh Tubbs

Bullpen Catchers Eric Rodríguez/Ricky Pacione

ML Staff Asst./Interpreter Agustin Rivero

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