Based on the results, it is hard to find much fault with Stephen Vogt as manager of the Cleveland Guardians over his three seasons. With two AL Central titles and in contention for a third, he has been lauded for getting the most out of his team over the course of 162 games.
This year, however, no matter what Vogt tries, he can’t seem to get the offense going. A recent five-game losing streak that put Cleveland’s playoff spot in some jeopardy was the most glaring example of those shortcomings.
Because of that, fans have begun to question Vogt’s penchant for changing lineups, as much as from game to game. It may be blamed for the hitters’ struggles, not knowing where they will be in the order from one day to the next.
Insider Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com is shutting down that big concern about Vogt, saying those varied lineups have been his strategy all along.
“I disagree. This is Vogt’s third year managing. He’s constantly adjusted his lineups since his first day on the job in 2024. If the players are confused, they haven’t been paying attention,” Hoynes wrote.
Even if it weren’t his usual style, it would be hard to blame Vogt for tinkering with the lineup this season. Cleveland is last in the majors in base hits, runs scored, total bases, batting average and OPS, and is 27th in home runs.
Despite that, the Guardians remain in the mix in the tight AL playoff race. They enter play on Saturday now tied with the Minnesota Twins, three games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central.
Vogt’s biggest lineup move of the season was moving Steven Kwan out of the leadoff spot he manned for most of the previous four seasons. After some adjustment, it seems to be paying off, as the outfielder has been on a hot streak since the All-Star break, batting over .400 in those 13 games.
The manager also had to deal with injuries to three of his top hitters in the same game. Chase DeLauter, Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez all went on the injured list in mid-June, but they are back in action as the team prepares for another playoff push.
As the reigning two-time AL Manager of the Year, Vogt certainly deserves the benefit of the doubt, and his methods could pay off with another postseason appearance.
NEXT: Steven Kwan Is On A Hot Streak Since The All-Star Break
