Two Guardians' coaches and replay coordinator will not return in 2024

When the Cleveland Guardians finally hire their next manager, there will be a few members of the coaching staff in need of replacement. It was announced that Mike Sarbaugh, Rigo Beltran, and Mike Barnett will not return to the Guardians next season.

This past season was Sarbaugh's ninth as Cleveland's third base coach and 11th overall as part of the staff of former manager Terry Francona. Sarbaugh's duties did end there though, as he was the infield coach for the Guardians. Cleveland would go on to win the first-ever American League team Gold Glove under his tutelage in 2020. A team that featured players who have since departed, Francisco Lindor, Roberto Perez, and Cesar Hernandez. Sarbuagh was not a candidate to replace Francona following his retirement.

2023 was Beltran's first and only season as the Guardians' bullpen coach, previously spending time with the Columbus Clippers, Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate, for the previous four seasons.

Barnett's time as Cleveland's replay coordinator for the past eight seasons. In addition to his duties in the replay department, Barnett would also help with scouting reports for Cleveland's hitters.

It was reported by Cleveland.com's Paul Hoynes that "Other changes in the staff are expected when a new manager is named.". This seems to point in the direction of someone who may have some experience as a manager in the past rather than one of the many options who are yet to manage a game in the majors. 

One such name would be the recently interviewed managerial candidate who is no longer under contract, Craig Counsell. The Brewers are interviewing potential replacements for Counsell, which seems to indicate they are not confident in his return to Milwaukee. This development, combined with more coaches that could be on their way out, may mean that the possibility of Counsell coming to Cleveland as Francona's successor may not be as far off as it initially appeared.