Reds can move forward after Guardians quickly settle pitching coach rumors

There were rumblings earlier this week, and predictably so, that Cleveland Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis could take the same position with the Cincinnati Reds.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer spoke with Willis about the opportunity, and the longtime Guardians' pitching coach cited his relationship with Reds manager Terry Francona as the only reason he'd even consider leaving Cleveland.

But it appears that Willis (along with Guardians manager Stephen Vogt) will be staying put. Zach Meisel of The Athletic (subscription required) is reporting that Vogt — who was thought to be in the running to become the Seattle Mariners next manager — is staying in Cleveland. Additionally, Willis is expected to return alongside the Guardians skipper in his role as the team's pitching coach.

Guardians coach Carl Willis will not replace Derek Johnson as the Reds' search continues

The Reds are seeking a new Director of Pitching and a major league pitching coach for the 2027 season — a role that Derek Johnson held for the past several years. Johnson took a leave of absence midway through the 2026 season, and team president Nick Krall revealed after the season that he would not return to the organization.

Krall also said that instead of one person pulling double duty, the organization is looking to find two candidates to fill two separate jobs. Bullpen coach Osacr Marin and assistant pitching coach Matt Tracy are known to have interviewed, but those are the only two names that have been divulged.

This is a critical hire for the Reds who saw their rotation take a major step backwards in 2026. While Chase Burns put together an All-Star season, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer all endured sub-par performances.

Cincinnati was also without their presumed Opening Day starter, Hunter Greene, for all but five games. Greene is scheduled to miss all of the 2027 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery this past August.

Marin has plenty of experience as Major League pitching coach (previously with the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates) and probably has a leg up on Tracy if the Reds decide to go with an internal hire. With Willis now off the board, outside candidates like Matt Blake (New York Yankees) and Connor McGuiness (Los Angeles Dodgers) could also be under consideration.

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