Fresh on the heels of a surprising run to Game 5 of the American League Division Series, the Cleveland Guardians announced Friday that manager Terry Francona will return for the 2023 season.
Francona, 63, has an open-ended contract, according to Tom Withers of The Associated Press.
"I want to see that group grow," Francona said of his decision to return, according to MLB.com's Mandy Bell. "I want to be a part of that."
Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said he will give the two-time World Series winner the freedom to determine how long he wants to hold the position.
"We want Tito to manage as long as it makes sense to him on his end," Antonetti said, according to Withers.
Francona led the Guardians to a 92-70 record in 2022 and helped the club win their first AL Central title since 2018.
The veteran skipper joined the Guardians as manager ahead of the 2013 campaign. In his 10 seasons at the helm, the franchise has an 845-671 record with four division crowns. Cleveland came within a game of winning the World Series in 2016 before falling to the Chicago Cubs in extra innings.
