Stephen Vogt Updates Guardians Future in New Comments amid MLB Rumors on Mariners Opening

Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt confirmed at his end-of-year press conference on Thursday that he'll return to the team, amid speculation linking him to the open managerial job with the Seattle Mariners.

"I'm here," Vogt told reporters. "I'm coming back."

Guardians general manager Chris Antonetti added that he has "every expectation that Vogt is going to manage here for a really long time."

As The Athletic's Zack Meisel noted, Vogt's family (wife Alyssa and their three children) reside in Olympia, Washington, about an hour drive from Seattle.

Per Meisel, Vogt's family does spent most of the summer in Cleveland. They also accompany him in Arizona for spring training and go to playoff games.

"(Alyssa) reminds me every day that I'm where I'm supposed to be and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing," Vogt said. "She jokes: 'We don't need you anyway.'

"The worst part of my job is being away from my family."

Thankfully, Vogt is able to spend some time with his family during the season.

"Our home and our family is the most sacred thing to us," Vogt said. "We love the Cleveland area. We love our summer here. I love living here. I just wish I could be in two places at once."

Vogt was a catcher for six different MLB teams over 11 seasons (2012-2022). He earned All-Star Game honors in back-to-back seasons (2015, 2016) while playing for the Oakland Athletics.

Vogt served as Seattle's bullpen and quality control coach in 2023 before becoming Cleveland's manager in 2024. He's led the Guardians to three straight AL Central titles and American League Championship Series appearances in 2024 and 2026. Vogt won American League Manager of the Year in 2024 and 2025.

Meanwhile, Seattle is in the market for a new manager after parting ways with Dan Wilson after two seasons. The Mariners were one win away from their first-ever World Series appearance in 2025, and hopes were high in 2026.

However, Seattle dropped from 90 to 76 wins and failed to win the weak AL West, which the Houston Astros won with an 81-81 record.

Vogt seemed like a potential option, although it's clear he's headed back to Cleveland. He is under contract with the team after signing a multi-year extension after the 2024 season.

Vogt staying is certainly a welcome sight for Cleveland, which hopes to win its first pennant since 2016 and first World Series since 1948. Both things are possible with Vogt in charge.