The Royals announced this afternoon that they have signed manager Matt Quatraro to a three-year extension. Quatraro was already under contract until 2026 but has now also signed for the 2027-29 seasons. The announcement notes that the deal includes a club option for the 2030 campaign.
Qutraro, 52, took over the Royals after the 2022 season, replacing Mike Matheny. Prior to his current role with the Royals, Qutraro served as the bench coach and third base coach for the Rays, as well as an assistant hitting coach in Cleveland. Quatraro’s first year at the helm in Kansas City was a disaster, as his team lost 106 games. That’s a record that won’t be fully attributed to Quatraro, however, as he earned the franchise a 97-loss campaign that last finished above .500 in 2015. After a strong push for contention during the 2023-24 offseason, Qutraro was able to lead the Royals 8 record back to a respectable 6-7 in the playoffs.
That was good for second place in the AL Central that year and earned Kansas City a Wild Card berth. They ended up sweeping the Orioles in the playoffs that year before falling to the Yankees in the four-game ALDS. That season saw Quatraro finish second in AL Manager of the Year voting, just behind the Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. After another busy season last year, the Royals were hoping to repeat that performance and return to the playoffs. Things didn’t go well the second time around, as the team finished with an 82-80 record that fell five games back from the final Wild Card spot.
Disappointing as that result was, however, the extensions of Seth Lugo again Michael Garcia suggested that the front office and ownership felt like things were still going in the right direction, and agreed to bring in similar pieces Isaac Collins again Matt Strahm they also show that the Royals enter 2026 with postseason aspirations again. That’s unusual for a Royals club that had enjoyed just four seasons over .500 in the 30 years prior to Quatraro’s ascension to the manager’s chair. Given the team’s success under Quatraro compared to their recent history (the team also made the World Series in 2014-15), it’s no surprise that the Royals decided to sign a new contract with their captain instead of entering the 2026 campaign as a lame duck.
With Quatraro now under contract for at least the next four seasons, the Royals will enter what could be an important offseason for the team with some stability in the bullpen. As Kansas City looks to extend its tenure with a superstar and the face of the franchise Bobby Witt Jr. under franchise control, they have added attacking players to a team that will likely be off the books in the coming years. Lugo, Jonathan India, Michael Wacha, Carlos Estevez, Chris Bubicagain Salvador Perez all can reach free agency this offseason or next. Another disappointing season could leave the team in a tough spot considering ownership seems reluctant to add to an already record-breaking payroll. Conversely, a return to the playoffs could solidify this as one of the best franchises in recent history.
