What stands out about Kansas City Royals’ Matt Quatraro? These MLB managers can tell you
The Kansas City Royals took a chance on Matt Quatraro after the 2022 season. The club was headed for a rebuild and needed a manager who could set the tone.
Quatraro, who learned under MLB managers Kevin Cash and Terry Francona, had the coaching experience. He served as a bench coach, third base coach and assistant hitting coach throughout his career.
The Royals handed him his first opportunity to be an MLB manager. After enduring a franchise-record-tying 106 losses, Quatraro led the Royals to a 30-win improvement and return trip to the postseason in 2024.
He also finished second in AL Manager of the Year voting.
On Monday, the Royals exercised his 2026 option, keeping him around for another season past this year.
“(Quatraro) has been outstanding,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “You know, Q pushes us all the time. Talk about another person that listens extremely well. He is curious and he causes us to think and rethink things. That’s refreshing. We have a great relationship and I’m happy he is going to be here for another year and certainly expected to be here longer than that.”
Around the league, Quatraro has drawn positive reviews. He has ties to several coaches, each of whom mentioned his leadership qualities when asked by The Star on Tuesday.
“I love him,” Francona said at Cactus League media days in Phoenix. “He’s smart and respects the game. Great guy. Unless we play him, I’m pulling for him.”
Francona still keeps in touch with Quatraro. They share a bond and see baseball in a similar light. Francona always felt Quatraro had managerial instincts and is proud of the success he has found with the Royals.
“We were getting the person (in Cleveland), and we knew we would (eventually) lose Q,” Francona said. “... We knew we had a guy and we wanted him there because of who he was. And you can see why.”
So what makes Quatraro special?
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt believes its a combination of Quatraro’s character and attention to detail.
“He managed me my first two professional seasons and he taught me, more than anyone else I have ever played for, how to be a professional,” Vogt said. “And that’s what Q brings, that constant stability and that same person every day, winning mindset. He knows what it takes, and that is hard work and dedication. He models that for everyone in the clubhouse.”
One of Quatraro’s main focuses, starting with the 2023 Royals, was the word “Today,” which the Royals emblazoned on t-shirts and often referenced. The Royals were out of contention and amid a long losing streak when Quatraro gave a passionate speech.
Since then, the Royals have lived by that “Today” mantra. It helped guide them through a difficult season and into a playoff run.
“We put him in a tough spot in 2023,” Royals owner John Sherman said. “I think he handled himself well. … What I would say about Q, I think he is one of the brightest managers in the game. High intellect. Can process a lot of information. But he is also one that understands this is a players’ game. He has good relationships with players, but he is also intellectually curious. That’s probably what’s most impressive about Q. He is always learning and always evolving.”
The Royals are set to compete for the AL Central crown in 2025. Quatraro is 142-182 in his career but has earned another season.
Those who know Quatraro best say the Royals are exactly where they should be.
“I’m not surprised to see what the Royals have done under his leadership because Q is one of the best people and one of the best leaders you are ever going to come across,” Vogt said. “I wish he was in a different division but there is no one I look up to more than Q. I’m just so thankful, you know, experiencing success and I’m not surprised about it at all.”
