Ned Yost will return to manage Royals in 2019

The Royals announced today that manager Ned Yost will return to manage the club in 2019. Yost, whose contract expired at the end of this season, will be back on a one-year deal. General Manager Dayton Moore had long voiced his intention on bringing Yost back, and had positive comments to say about his return.

“We are thrilled that Ned will return as our manager in 2019,” said Moore. “His leadership has been and will remain vital for our success. We have shared the same vision since May of 2010 and I’m honored to partner with him both personally and professionally.”

Yost has managed the Royals since he took over mid-season in 2010. He has won the most games by any manager in Royals history, and has won two of the four pennants in club history, with a championship in 2015. His record with the Royals is 687-735 (.483) going into Sunday’s season finale. The club improved every season from 2011 to 2015 under his watch.

Terms were not disclosed on the deal, but Yost reportedly earned $3.7 million this season, sixth-most among managers. Angels manager Mike Scioscia and Giants manager Bruce Bochy are the only managers in baseball to have served their team longer than Yost, and there are rumors Scioscia may step down at the end of the year. Yost turned 64 back in August, and despite a health scare last off-season when he broke his pelvis, he has found renewed energy with younger players. Cubs manager Joe Maddon and Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman are the only current managers older than Yost.

Despite some valid criticisms of his lineups, bullpen roles, and preference for small-ball, the return of Yost is a good thing. He seems to have good command of the clubhouse and the respect and admiration of his players. Having stability in this franchise as it transitions from champion to rebuild (oops, don’t say “rebuild”) should help the development of some of the younger players, which is really the most important thing for the franchise, even at the expense of winning games. Yost has previously said his successor is already in the organization, so by returning on a one-year deal he gives the club some flexibility in deciding when that next manager can take over.

So enjoy at least one more season of verbal sparring with young beat writers, endless playing time for Salvador Perez, and bunts galore. Boom, yosted.