Stephen Vogt’s comments on coaching departures may alter Guardians’ offseason

For the past two seasons, Stephen Vogt, Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa have been integral to the Cleveland Guardians’ success.

While Vogt is the manager on the top step of the dugout, Craig Albernaz (associate manager) and Correa (field coordinator) were also key decision-makers who helped the game-plan and prepare for the night’s opponents. 

Now Vogt’s the last one standing. 

After already losing Correa to the Mets earlier this offseason, Albernaz was named the Orioles’ new manager this week. 

Both Vogt and president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti spoke to the media this week following Correa and Albernaz’s departures, where they offered a look at how the Guardians will adapt to the loss of both of them. 

The Guardians will have two big holes to fill in their coaching staff this offseason

“(Finding another Albernaz) is just not going to happen and Vogter knows that,” Antonetti said, per Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes. “But he has relationships throughout the game, whether they’re internal or external candidates, that he feels comfortable with and are capable of doing the job to the standards we feel it should be done.”

Albernaz and Vogt had previously played together in Tampa Bay’s minor league system, and they both interviewed for the Guardians managerial gig after Terry Francona stepped down. While Vogt got the job, the front office thought so highly of Albernaz they gave him the second-most important role. 

“I couldn’t be more pumped up for Albie,” Vogt said, per Hoynes. “I’m just thrilled for him. He’s worked for this for a really long time. I always knew this would come to him. It was just a matter of finding the right fit.” 

Albernaz’s hiring didn’t come as a surprise considering he’s long been viewed in baseball circles as a future manager. He was a finalist last year for the White Sox and Marlins’ open managerial jobs, but he withdrew his consideration from both. 

This kind of coaching attrition has become the norm for the Guardians, who are viewed as one of the league’s best clubs at developing coaching and front office talent — something that Antonetti is well aware of. 

“I do see this as a compliment,” Antonetti told Hoynes. “I continue to feel and believe we have extraordinary people throughout the organization. I think the evidence would support that because other teams think similarly.”

The Guardians will have their work cut out for them when it comes to replacing both coaches. Not only did they both have a lot of trust built up with Vogt, but the players also seemed to respect and listen to both coaches.  

While having Vogt at the top of the totem pole is the most important thing, building a group of quality people around him is incredibly important, as we saw over the past two seasons with Correa and Albernaz.

According to Hoynes, they have yet to start interviewing candidates, and the search will consist of people both inside and outside the organization.