Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro had a message for his players ahead of the 2026 season.
The Kansas City Royals have experienced a resurgence under manager Matt Quatraro, who has quietly established himself as one of MLB’s most effective leaders since being hired in 2022.
In just a few years, he has guided the Royals to a playoff appearance in 2024 and overseen the development of franchise superstar Bobby Witt Jr., whose rise has been central to the team’s turnaround. Recognizing his impact, Kansas City rewarded Quatraro with a three-year contract extension this offseason, keeping him under contract through 2029 with a team option for 2030.
As Quatraro prepares for the 2026 campaign, he appeared on the Foul Territory podcast this past week to discuss the upcoming season and delivered a message to his players. He emphasized the importance of player relationships and accountability, hoping to foster a group strong enough to reach the postseason.
“Beyond anything else, it's all about you guys as the players, right? I mean, I don't have this job. I don't have this opportunity. I can't coach any baseball, regardless of the level, without the players,” Quatraro explained.
He then offered insight into his coaching philosophy, stressing the value of connection and trust within the clubhouse.
“So the thing I try to do better every year is learn about the players more on a deeper level and encourage them to learn about each other as teammates, because I really believe in that. I believe that the more you care about the people that are around you, the more you're willing to go to battle with them and I think those are the things that we're trying to improve on here because I think those are the things that help us win on the margins.”
The Royals enter 2026 with heightened expectations after finishing 82–80 last season, marking back-to-back winning years for the first time in over a decade. While they narrowly missed the MLB playoffs in 2025, the organization believes they are positioned to contend again.
Stability has been a theme, with both Quatraro and general manager J.J. Picollo signed long term, signaling confidence in their leadership.
Kansas City’s goals include improving offensive consistency and maximizing the health of their core players. For Quatraro, the message is clear: building stronger bonds among players is just as important as on-field performance. With continuity in leadership and a roster eager to prove itself, the Royals believe they are ready to push back into postseason contention in 2026.