Stephen Vogt wasted no time putting the Seattle chatter to bed.
The Cleveland Guardians manager, who has now won two American League Manager of the Year awards and guided his club to the American League Championship Series this season, said Thursday that he expects to be back in Cleveland next year. Tim Stebbins of MLB.com relayed the comments.
“I'll be in Cleveland. I'm here. I'm coming back,” Vogt told reporters.
That was the clearest possible answer to a rumor that had linked him to the Mariners’ managerial opening. Vogt remains under contract with the Guardians, and there had been speculation that Seattle could come calling. But the door slammed shut in public view on Thursday.
The Guardians never appeared eager to move on from him. Even with a few postseason decisions drawing criticism this year, Vogt’s track record speaks for itself: Cleveland has reached the ALCS in two of his three seasons at the helm. That’s a strong run by any standard.
There was at least a theoretical path to a move if Vogt had wanted it. A managerial trade, while rare, would have been a possibility if he had pushed for Seattle, and the Mariners job would have put him closer to his family. But Vogt made his stance plain, and it pointed back to Cleveland.
For the Guardians, the fit still makes sense. They’ve stayed in the contender mix under Vogt, and the roster has enough upside that the next step feels within reach. Cleveland is still a few pieces away from being a true World Series threat, but Vogt has already shown he can steer this group deep into October.
Maybe one day the Mariners become part of the conversation again. For now, though, Vogt is making it clear he’s staying put.
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