The Cleveland Guardians’ coaching staff will look different next season. With Craig Albernaz leaving to be the new manager of the Baltimore Orioles, Tony Arnerich will take the reins as the team’s bench coach.
With that in mind, Stephen Vogt opened up on what he expects from his new bench coach. Clearly, he doesn’t want to be surrounded by yes men:
“I’m a verbal processor. I know it’s going to surprise you that I’m talking the whole game. So when I throw ideas out, either be ready to confirm that it’s the right one or challenge that it’s not,” Vogt said of Arnerich. “Albi (Albernaz) was great at that. I know Tony’s going to do a great job of that too. There’s a lot to be thinking about during a game and it happens fast.
That’s what one would expect from a true leader. The assistant coaches are there to challenge the big boss.
Vogt has done an outstanding job in charge of the team, as evidenced by his back-to-back trips to the playoffs, AL Central divisional pennants, and AL Manager of the Year awards. That being said, he’s a human being first and foremost, and he’s going to make mistakes along the way. He knows that.
That’s where the bench coach is so important. And while the work often goes unnoticed and he won’t get nearly as much credit – or blame – as Vogt for how the team fares, he will still have a crucial role in this team’s success – or lack thereof.
The Guardians are clearly committed to Vogt right now, as they should. They gave him a three-year deal at first, but after what he was able to accomplish last season, it should only be a matter of time before they get him to sign a long-term contract extension.
Still, a manager is only as good as his assistants. Hopefully, he’s made the right decision and chose the right guy to replace Albernaz.
NEXT: Guardians Named Favorites To Sign Intriguing Shortstop Prospect
