On Sunday, the Kansas City Royals announced the hiring of Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro as manager. Quatraro replaces Mike Matheny, who was fired after the Royals finished 65-97 for their sixth straight losing season.

Royals general manager J.J. Picollo, who took over as head of baseball operations after the firing of longtime front-office executive Dayton Moore, chose Quatraro as the teams new manager. Picollo said in a statement: “We are extremely excited to have Matt leading our club and core of talent. Matt has great experiences throughout his career that have prepared him for this. He thoroughly impressed us all during our interview process and is clearly respected across the industry.”

Quatraro, who interviewed for the Mets and A’s manager jobs last season, will take over as manager of one of the youngest teams in baseball. He said in a statement: “I’m grateful to Mr. Sherman and the ownership group, J.J. and the front office, and everyone else with the Royals for this opportunity. I already knew the talent on the roster and how great the fans in Kansas City are, and the interview process convinced me that the terrific things I’d heard about the organization’s culture are true. I can’t wait to get started, and for my family to get to Kansas City and be part of that community.”

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