The Mariners have set their coaching staff for the 2023 MLB season, and their one addition is a familiar name from a division rival.
Stephen Vogt, a longtime MLB catcher who announced his retirement as a player following the 2022 season, has joined manager Scott Servais’ staff as bullpen coach and quality control coach.
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Seattle’s previous bullpen coach, Trent Blank, remains with the team, shifting to the dugout as a major league coach and director of pitching strategy.
“I’m thrilled that we’re able to return our entire coaching staff for the 2023 season,” Sevais said in a post on the Mariners PR team’s blog. “Our coaches did a tremendous job helping our players improve and prepare every day in 2022, and they deserve a lot of credit for the success we had. With the addition of Stephen Vogt and a new role for Trent in 2023, we are well equipped to build on the winning foundation we have established here. I love working with this group, and I can’t wait to get rolling again at Spring Training.”
Vogt, 38, was a career .239 hitter with 82 home runs and 313 RBIs over 10 MLB seasons, which included stops at Tampa Bay, Oakland, Arizona, Milwaukee, San Francisco and Atlanta. He played 70 games for the Athletics last year – homering in the last at-bat of his MLB career – and went into retirement with the goal of going straight into coaching.
“I am beyond excited to be joining the Mariners’ organization and major league coaching staff,” Vogt told The Associated Press. “This next chapter of my career is one I am ready for and thrilled to be beginning in Seattle.”
Coaching has long been his calling. From Bruce Bochy and Craig Counsell to more recently A’s manager Mark Kotsay, many have vouched for Vogt’s ability to one day become a manager. Now, he’s taking the first step in that path.
Click here to see the full 2023 Mariners coaching staff.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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