So much for the idea that Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was possibly headed into a lame duck season, with ESPN reporting Friday that the two-time American League Manager of the Year already signed an extension that never was announced.

The report indicates that Vogt’s extension went into effect before the 2025 season, after he won his first AL Manager of the Year Award. The Guardians went 92-69 in 2024. Cleveland then advanced to the American League Championship Series after votes from writers had been cast.

Vogt, 41, again was named the top AL manager after the Guardians went 88-74 this past season before they were eliminated in the AL wild-card round.

When Vogt was named Guardians manager in November of 2023, his contract had been announced at three years.

Vogt spent 10 seasons as a major league player, batting .239 with 82 home runs and 313 RBIs in 794 career games. He played for six different clubs, including the Oakland Athletics from 2013-2107 and again in 2022.

The two-time All-Star was named Guardians manager barely a year after he retired as a player. He served as the Seattle Mariners’ bullpen and quality control coach in the year between playing and becoming a manager.

–Field Level Media