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Report: Matheny 'strong candidate' to replace Yost as Royals manager

Michael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Ned Yost's retirement has created a managerial vacancy in Kansas City, but it may not stay open for long.

Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, who now works in the Royals' front office, is a strong candidate to succeed Yost, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com.

However, the team isn't committing to Matheny just yet, a source told Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com.

Plenty of change is afoot in Kansas City right now in addition to Yost's retirement, as the club is in the process of being sold. New owner John Sherman may wish to bring in his own personnel once he's officially in charge.

That uncertainty could also affect Dayton Moore, the longtime general manager who hired Matheny. Moore has been the Royals' GM since 2006, but he's only under contract through next season.

The Cardinals hired Matheny to replace Hall of Fame skipper Tony La Russa in 2012, even though he didn't have previous managerial experience. Over nearly seven seasons he compiled a 591-474 regular-season record with the Cardinals, leading the team to the playoffs four times, including three straight division titles and the 2013 NL pennant.

The 49-year-old was fired last July when St. Louis was struggling to stay above .500. At the time of his firing, there was controversy regarding Matheny's approval of veteran pitcher Bud Norris' behavior toward young reliever Jordan Hicks, and his reported lack of communication with some other players.

In addition to Matheny, two members of Yost's coaching staff - bench coach Dale Sveum and assistant hitting coach Pedro Grifol - are also being considered for the job, a source told Flanagan.

Whoever takes over for Yost will inherit a rebuilding Royals squad that just clinched its second straight 100-loss season. Kansas City currently owns the fourth-worst record in baseball.

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