The Royals have extended the contract of manager Ned Yost through 2016, the club announced on Twitter. Much embattled in some circles, Yost nevertheless saw Kansas City through to a stunning run into and through the postseason, culminating in a World Series appearance.
With the new deal, Yost has an additional year of security. That will keep him from entering the coming season as a lame duck, though of course it does not ensure that he will stay around for the long haul. In any event, Yost is interested in remaining at the helm only for two or three more years, according to Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
Yost took over the K.C. dugout back in 2011, overseeing a pair of sub-par efforts in his first two campaigns. But things trended up in 2013, when the club won 86 games, and culminated in a breakneck second half last year that vaulted the Royals from a 48-50 record to the Wild Card.
As if the first postseason appearance since the George Brett era was not enough, Yost and his squad launched an improbable run all the way to Game 7 of the sport’s final series. He took plenty of criticism along the way — bunting and bullpen utilization chief among them — but it is hard to argue with the results that he wrung from a scrappy, youthful club.
It remains to be seen, of course, whether Yost can help to orchestrate a repeat performance. But he will have the chance to do so without worrying whether he’ll be under contract for the following season.
