Vogt shuns Mariners rumors, says he'll manage Guardians in '27

Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt has shut down speculation about his future, telling reporters on Thursday that he will return to manage the club in the 2027 season.

"I'm here," Vogt said at a news conference. "I'm coming back."

The 41-year-old has led the Guardians to a division crown in each of his three seasons at the helm and has twice been named American League Manager of the Year. His announcement came just three days after Cleveland's elimination from the American League Championship Series, which stretched the franchise's World Series title drought to 78 years.

With the Seattle Mariners' managerial job open, there had been rumblings that Vogt could leave to be closer to his family's home in Olympia, Washington. Vogt spent one season as Seattle's bullpen coach in 2023 before being hired by Cleveland, and that connection had fueled talk of a possible move.

Vogt, however, said he has not been contacted by the Mariners, who fired Dan Wilson last month after a disappointing 76-86 season.

"I'll be in Cleveland," he said, while Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti added that he expects Vogt to manage the club "for a really long time." Vogt signed a multiyear contract extension with Cleveland following the 2024 season.

A father of three, Vogt has spoken openly about the difficulty of spending long stretches away from his family during the season, but said his wife reminds him every day that he is where he is supposed to be.