Royals talk extension with Peña

[Mad'sWife]

10/28/2003 7:19 PM ET
Royals talk extension with Peña
Kansas City manager is under contract through 2004
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com



Royals manager Tony Pena led Kansas City to its first winning season since 1994. (AP)



KANSAS CITY -- Talks designed to bring about a contract extension for Royals manager Tony Peña are underway, general manager Allard Baird confirmed Tuesday.
"It's in the process," Baird said. "It's something I felt strongly about. I've said all along I'd like to extend him."

Peña, who led the Royals to an 83-79 record in 2003 -- the club's first winning season since 1994 -- is under contract through the 2004 season. He signed that deal after replacing Tony Muser as the Kansas City manager on May 15, 2002.

Peña, 46, has already been named the American League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated and is expected to be a strong candidate for that award from the Baseball Writers Association of America.

"Tony fits into what we're trying to do," Baird said.

Royals owner David Glass has expressed interest in extending Baird as well as Peña. Baird is under contract through 2004 after getting a prior extension during the 2002 season.

"I'm more concerned with other people," Baird said, keeping the emphasis on Peña.

The Peña-Baird duo helped Kansas City pull off a 21-game improvement in 2003.

The Royals had finished 62-100 in 2002 but remained in contention for the American League Central title this year until the final week of the season.

[Cornbread Maxwell]

KC fans - are you guys happy with Pena? He seems to be pretty good to me.