Since winning the World Series in 2015, the Kansas City Royals disbanded and haven’t returned to the postseason.
They have been one of the worst teams in MLB during that time, but the franchise is hoping to start a new contention window within the next couple of years.
In the middle of a 65-97 season that was worse than they anticipated, it was announced that manager Mike Matheny wouldn’t be returning for the 2023 campaign.
That meant the search for a new manager was on in Kansas City.
The team is already interviewing potential candidates.
“Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro interviewed this week for the Royals’ managerial opening, sources tell @TheAthletic. Quatraro was Guardians’ assistant hitting coach from 2014 to ‘17. Royals owner John Sherman previously was a minority owner with the Guardians,” MLB insider Ken Rosenthal tweeted.
Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro interviewed this week for the Royals’ managerial opening, sources tell @TheAthletic. Quatraro was Guardians’ assistant hitting coach from 2014 to ‘17. Royals owner John Sherman previously was a minority owner with the Guardians.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 21, 2022
Quatraro Would Bring A Modern Way To Embrace Baseball
Sherman already knows Quatraro and his work from their days with the Guardians in the mid-2010s.
The Guards were successful during those days.
It’s important for the new Royals manager to know what it’s like to be part of a winning environment, because that’s one of the changes he will be required to implement if elected: convincing Royals players that they have what it takes to earn victories consistently after so many losing seasons.
Quatraro has been working with the Rays organization for a while, too, so he is familiarized with the modern way to embrace baseball: he understands the value of analytics and sabermetrics in the game.
The position is not Quatraro’s yet, but the sole fact he is in consideration signals that the Royals will try a different approach, and that’s good for baseball.
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