The Royals announced on Thursday that they have extended the contracts of manager Ned Yost and GM Dayton Moore. Yost will receive a two-year extension through the 2018 season, while the length of Moore’s contract was not disclosed.
Both Yost and Moore had been entering the final seasons of their respective contracts, with Yost having signed a one-year extension prior to the 2015 season and Moore having inked a two-year deal spanning the 2015-16 campaigns. Fresh off a World Series victory in 2015, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see ownership lock up its top baseball operations decision-maker and on-field leader.
Yost, 61, is entering his sixth full season as manager of the Royals and also managed the club for about three quarters of the 2010 season as well. In his time with Kansas City, he’s compiled a 468-469 record, although the team has clearly taken a turn for the better in the past two seasons, as evidenced by a pair of World Series appearances (and their 2015 victory in that regard). Yost has drawn his share of criticism for his bullpen management and penchant for bunting, though his supporters will be quick to point out that the on-field results speak far louder than the critics. Yost is beloved among his players, as many of them explained to the New York Times’ Bruce Schoenfeld at the end of the regular season in 2015, and he’ll now be presented with the opportunity to guide the Royals back to the postseason for at least three more seasons.
As for Moore, he’s been the club’s general manager since the 2006 season. Moore made a name for himself as an executive with the Braves and was thought to be a GM-in-waiting. With Moore atop Kansas City’s baseball ops hierarchy, the team has drafted the likes of Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, traded for Lorenzo Cain, James Shields and Wade Davis, and signed free agents such as Kendrys Morales, Edinson Volquez and Jason Vargas. Of course, like any GM, Moore has had his misses (Jose Guillen, Omar Infante and a number of others would all be fair game to point out), but the Royals appear poised for a sustained run as contenders thanks in large part to their now-signature brand of baseball — defense, speed, contact and elite relief pitching — that is largely attributable to the two men whose contracts were extended today.
Well deserved for both. Thought this year was going to be the end for Yost because I believe he talked about retirement after this year.
You will regret this
Now I’m laughing because I’m picturing David Glass coming onto MLBTR and reading this.
Yeah they will. Only 1-1 in the last two World Series’.
Only makes sense. Moore’s deal isn’t known, but whatever there deal is carries through this window. We’re at the point of REALLY seeing what the KC organization has in the tank scouting and development wise…the shift from constant high draft picks to finding players late and through rounds 2-5. That was what made Atlanta so special. The Royals are also potentially in the treacherous place of extending/resigning the wrong aging players. That happens….but I don’t think anyone can complain about the past few seasons. I personally feel that Yost cost them an outright central pennant in 2014….but they won and it doesn’t matter. Also have hit a lull not only in the central but in a weakened AL East. As a person who grew up in the KC market, it’s amazing how many fans have shown up…place used to be a really nice morgue with fountains and tour buses in from Wichita.
Why did the Brewers fire Yost in the last month of a pennant race? It doesn’t matter know. Belichek failed early and learned and grew, looks like old Ned “moved away from there” and also grew. Moore is going to earn his $$$ the next 3 years as players age out. Good luck KC! Please win 2 more!
I don’t think Ned grew…he about wrecked that play in game with Oakland….and has been a horrible mismanager. Or course the players in KC love him they’re winning…things look different with losses.
Not saying he hasn’t grown…but he’s about 50/50 as Royals manager. I personally blame his game management for costing the team an outright central title in 14. And if they hadn’t had a miracle comeback in that Oakland playin game…he might not have even made it out of the parking lot. Another manager would be getting a series ring.
Well let’s see what he does now. Your stuck with a lemon, make some lemonade! Honestly, enjoy the win (glass half full), don’t cry over what could have been (glass half empty) no pun intended. Really, after all the years of suffering, you focus on a negative? Take yes for an answer! Enjoy being the best!