The Cleveland Guardians have lost one of their key components.
Assistant manager Craig Albernaz is leaving to become manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
That’s a big blow to the Guardians’ coaching staff.
However, insider Paul Hoynes believes it can be a blessing in disguise for manager Stephen Vogt.
“While this presents a challenge, it also offers Vogt an opportunity to establish his own distinct identity as a manager. As Hoynes noted, ‘If you’re (executives) Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff, you want to give Vogt a little bit of freedom here to pick and choose.’ That freedom could mean promoting from within — perhaps outfield coach J.T. Maguire, whom Vogt has praised as a rising star — or bringing in someone from Vogt’s network of relationships built during his playing career,” via the “Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast.”
Vogt is entering the third and final year of the contract he received when he was hired.
After what he’s accomplished in his first two years, it’s not a surprise to hear that the Guardians are working on a long-term contract extension for the former major league catcher.
That means the organization trusts him, and as such, should give him the freedom to bring in the people he wants to work with.
A team needs to trust the manager’s vision, especially when the early returns have been so encouraging.
Of course, Vogt leaned on Albernaz and the other members of his staff around him to have success.
But if this organization firmly believes that Vogt is the guy who will lead them to a World Series title, they need to give him input on the people who will help him do that.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Gets Honest About Losing Guardians Coach
