Royals, Rays extend contracts of managers Ned Yost, Joe Maddon

Yost has gone 126-163 since replacing the fired Trey Hillman in May of 2010. Two months later, Yost signed an extension through 2012 with the option year for the club, which went on an 11-3 run last September with talented youngsters.

“It was real exciting seeing them all get to the big leagues last year and then watching them play together and watching the way they finished up was real impressive to me,” Yost said.

Royals General Manager Dayton Moore made the move to avoid having the question of Yost's future linger over the club all season, saying, “he does an incredible job of motivating players and an incredible job of leading.”

Yost has an overall major league managerial record of 583-665 after spending six prior seasons as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. His extension comes just ahead of the start of preseason training camp in Arizona.

Maddon's new deal was reported by the Tampa Bay Times, ESPN and Major League Baseball's website but was not expected to be made official by the Rays until Wednesday, when a news conference is scheduled.

Maddon, the fourth-longest tenured manager in the major leagues, spent 31 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels organization but took over Tampa Bay prior to the 2006 season and reversed the club's fortunes.

After averaging more than 90 losses over four seasons before his arrival in 2006, Maddon has the Rays averaging more than 90 triumphs a season over the past four years and guided them into the playoffs in 2008 and last year, when they moved past Boston on the final day of the season to qualify.

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