The Cleveland Guardians have hired Tony Arnerich to become the team's new bench coach for the 2026 MLB season.
The Cleveland Guardians have been on the search for a new bench coach ever since Craig Albernaz departed the organization to become the new skipper of the Baltimore Orioles.
On Thursday, the team announced that they had hired Tony Arnerich to serve as the Guardians’ bench coach for the 2026 season.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the newest member of Cleveland’s coaching staff.
Tony Arnerich’s Previous MLB Experience
Arnerich joins the Guardians with plenty of previous experience coaching in MLB. He spent the last nine seasons with the Seattle Mariners in various roles.
Arnerich spent four seasons as Seattle’s hitting coach and also served as the team’s bullpen and catching instructor, making the jump to Cleveland. The 45-year-old actually took over for Vogt as the bullpen coach after he left to become the manager of the Guardians during the 2023 offseason.
Before joining Seattle’s major league staff, Arnerich was also the organization’s minor league coordinator and its minor league assistant hitting and catching coordinator.
Feb 20, 2025; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners bullpen coach Tony Arnerich poses for a portrait during media day at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesTony Arnerich’s Successful Collegiate Coaching Career
Not only has Arnerich gained extensive experience coaching in the big leagues, but he has also had success on a variety of collegiate coaching staffs.
Arnerich was an assistant at the University of California (Berkley), was on the Golden Bears’ coaching staff that helped the 2011 roster reach the College World Series.
Another Former Player Joins Cleveland's Coaching Staff
Stephen Vogt’s coaching staff is loaded with former players, including himself. Arnerich is no different, having played a half-decade of minor league ball but never reaching the MLB level.
Between 2001 and 2005, Arnerich spent time in the Kansas City Royals and Florida Marlins farm systems, reaching as high as Double-A. In those seasons across all levels, he hit .231/.305/.317.
Even though Arnerich never played in the major leagues, his experience and background as a player can still provide a valuable perspective when helping with in-game decisions.
Vogt wasn’t shy about the impact that Albernaz had on the Guardians. It’ll be a tough task for Arnerich to fully replace Albernaz, but he certainly has the experience and resume to do so.