Indians bench coach Brad Mills will not return for 2021

Mills departs after eight seasons (if you count 2020) with the Tribe

The offseason exodus from Cleveland continues, with the surprise addition of Brad Mills to the list. The veteran bench coach, who opted out of the 2020 season for health and family reasons, will not be returning to the Indians. The reason for his departure from the coaching staff has not been made public, but the 63-year-old could simply be ready to retire.

Mills has been a member of the Tribe’s coaching staff since the 2013 season, when he was hired to serve as third base coach under manager Terry Francona. He was promoted to bench coach the following year and has remained in that role ever since.

I imagine this will be a difficult loss for Francona, who is expected to return next season after missing nearly all of the 2020 season due to health problems. Mills and Francona first became friends while playing baseball at the University of Arizona from 1976-79. Since then, Mills has been on Francona’s coaching staffs in Philadelphia, Boston, and Cleveland.

First base coach Sandy Alomar could be in line to replace Mills as the Indians’ bench coach after serving as interim manager this season while Francona was sidelined.