By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Kansas City Royals chairman and CEO John Sherman announced Wednesday the departure of Dayton Moore, the team's President of Baseball Operations and leader of that department since 2006.
J.J. Picollo has been named Executive Vice President and General Manager overseeing baseball operations, effective immediately.
Moore was General Manager from 2006-2021, during which time the Royals won the 2014 American League pennant and 2015 World Series. Under Moore's leadership, the Royals’ record improved over seven straight years from 2009-2015, matching a Major League Baseball record.
“Dayton’s 16 years of leadership here will always mark the transformation into a World Championship club,” Sherman said. “Our fans, our region, and our community will never forget the excitement we shared in back-to-back pennants and the World Series Championship in 2015. He always put the Kansas City Royals first, and we’re stronger today because of it.”
Picollo became the seventh General Manager in Royals history last September. Moore was promoted to Director of Baseball Ops that same day.
Picollo previously held the title of Vice President/Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel from 2015-21, and served as the Royals’ Assistant General Manager-Scouting and Player development from 2008-2015. Picollo joined Kansas City’s Baseball Operations Department in 2006 as Director of Player Development
“J.J.’s experience in baseball has prepared him for the challenges ahead,” Sherman said. “He has played a key role in evaluating and developing many of our franchise’s most talented players, including the core that won the 2015 World Series and the young core on the major league team today. He will bring a new lens and approach to leading our baseball operations. I look forward to working with J.J. as we continue to build and develop our team to compete at a high level.”