Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt has finalized his coaching staff, retaining Sandy Alomar Jr. and Carl Willis, both of whom worked under former manager Terry Francona for a long time.
Vogt was hired earlier this month by Cleveland despite lacking any managing experience. He will have continuity in Alomar, who will coach first base and the catchers, as well as Willis, who has had a significant impact on the Guardians’ development of one of baseball’s top pitching staffs.
Vogt also appointed Craig Albernaz as his bench coach, replacing DeMarlo Hale, who was recently named Toronto’s associate manager.
This is a quick change for Albernaz, who was San Francisco’s bullpen coach last season and was named a major league field coordinator for Cleveland a few weeks ago.
Kai Correa, who spent the last four seasons as San Francisco’s bench coach, will be Cleveland’s field coordinator. The 35-year-old served as the Giants’ interim manager for the final three games this season.
Additionally, Chris Valaika is returning for his third season as Cleveland’s hitting coach.
Vogt has yet to name a third-base coach to replace Mike Sarbaugh, who left the organization after three decades.
The Guardians also promoted Rouglas Odor to infield coach and Brad Goldberg to bullpen coach.
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