The Cleveland Guardians had one of the best pitching staffs in the league this season.
For the most part, the Guardians’ starting rotation got the job done, and the bullpen was elite more often than not.
That’s why it’s so nice to know that Carl Willis isn’t going anywhere.
According to a report by Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com, the veteran assistant coach will run it back for at least another season:
“One of the best things about the Guardians’ surprise 2025 season was watching a young starting rotation emerge to cover the shortcomings of a struggling offense and a reshaped bullpen,” Hoynes wrote. “Carl Willis, the man who played a big part in that emergence, will return as pitching coach for 2026. There had been speculation that Willis, 64, might step down, but it has been confirmed that he’ll return for the upcoming season.”
The Guardians also brought in former star pitcher Corey Kluber to help develop their young and struggling pitchers, so perhaps he can take over for Willis at some point in the future.
For now, it seems like Stephen Vogt will keep some of his crucial contributors around.
Continuity matters, and a young manager like Vogt needs as many experienced coaches and assistants around him as he can possibly get.
So far, the early returns of his coaching tenure have been quite encouraging, and it’s great news to hear that the team is actively seeking to sign him to a long-term contract extension.
He did an outstanding job of keeping this team motivated through thick and thin this season, especially given how much they struggled to find any consistency at the plate.
That’s also why the pitching staff was so crucial to what they did this season.
And while Willis has certainly earned his stripes and the right to call it quits and get some rest, it’s great to know that he’s sticking around.
NEXT: Insider Reveals Harsh Reality About Guardians' Postseason Struggles
