Kansas City Royals Fire Long-Time General Manager Dayton Moore

  The Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman announced that President of Baseball Operations, Dayton Moore, has been dismissed from his duties.

  The move was announced in a press conference this past Wednesday. 

  The decision comes after Moore spent 16 years in the Royals organization, with 15 years working as the general manager.

  “The bottom line here is that it’s time for a change,” Sherman said in Wednesday’s press conference.

  This sentiment was shared by many frustrated fans, as the Royals have not posted a winning record since their World Series run in 2015.

  “When you don’t win enough games, change is required,” said Moore on his departure.

  Although the change was unsurprising to some, longtime Royal Salvador Perez was not expecting the change.

  “I never thought Dayton would leave the organization. I love him,” Perez said.

  Dayton Moore inherited a losing team and crafted two World Series appearances, including one victory for the first time in 30 years. Moore treated the players with respect and loyalty. Finding executives with genuine compassion is rare in the sports world.

  The team announced that effective immediately,  JJ Picollo will be the executive vice president and general manager.

  Picollo has worked under and alongside Moore since their college days and worked as Moore’s assistant general manager at Kansas City, where he was involved in many aspects of the organization. 

  Sherman noted he wanted to give Picollo a head start on key off-season decisions that could include making changes to the manager position.

  While the move is bittersweet, the Royals have finally made a franchise-altering move that has the potential to change the future of the team for the better.