It is a shame, as Yost went through some tough seasons in Milwaukee and was not there to see the finished product, when young players like Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun became stars and the Brewers became a playoff team. The same likely will be said about his time in Kansas City, unless the team starts winning immediately.
Yost took over the Royals in the 2010 season and has had a losing record in the two plus season he has been at the helm. He made it almost six seasons with the Brewers before he was let go in 2008 with 12 games to go in the season. His first season in 2003 resulted in a 68-84 record and after winning 83 games in 2007, the Brewers were 83-67 when he was fired, partially because of the swoon the team was in.
The Royals have been without young catching prospect Salvador Perez and will not have the services of closer Joakim Soria for the season. But this team is too talented to be 3-13. Eric Hosmer is hitting barely over .200 and their starting pitching has not been good. Pitching prospects Dan Duffy and Jeremy Jeffries are up with LHP Mike Montgomery on the way. Jonathan Sanchez has struggled through three starts and the bullpen has been terrible. Greg Holland, who was unhittable last season, is pitching to an 11+ ERA.
Potential mangerial replacements may not exist on this coaching staff. The Royals fired bench coach John Gibbons, who was formerly the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays and pitching coach Bob McClure, who some has said could be a major league manager someday. The fact that the team changes bench and pitching coaches leaves no other scapegoats. This is another reason I think the ax may fall on Yost soon. But new bench coach Chico Cadahia is not likely to get the interim job.
More than likely though, the Royals will go to somebody off their major league staff to replace Yost temporarily. Perhaps they may go with batting coach Kevin Seitzer, who had his best seasons with Kansas City and is well liked by the organization and fans. Pitching coach Dave Eiland is a dark horse candidate to take over if Yost takes the bullet for the team's bad start. Outside the organization, I would like to see Bob Brenly get another chance to be a MLB manager. Perhaps Wally Backman may get his first chance here. If they want to go the veteran route, Jimy Williams may be willing to take one more shot. Coming into the season, I would have said Brad Mills or Eric Wedge would be the first manager out. Now, I am almost sure it will be Ned Yost.