Kansas City Royals Dayton Moore Executive Of The Year Candidate

Sep 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) walks off the field after being relieved in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Dayton Moore’s Deadline Deals

Dayton Moore did not sit on his laurels at the deadline. Instead, he traded away five pitching prospects to strengthen the KC Royals weaknesses anticipating a second consecutive playoff berth.

Moore acquired ace Johnny Cueto and super-utility man Ben Zobrist shortly before the July trade deadline. While Johnny Cueto hit a rough patch for five starts, he still figures to be the Kansas City Royals ace during the post-season.  

More from Kings of Kauffman

• KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
• KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: 3 Tampa Bay pitchers
• Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update

Ben Zobrist has been terrific for the KC Royals hitting .299/.383/.488 with seven home runs in 230 at bats. Zobrist filled in for Alex Gordon in left until Gordon’s return in September, and now has taken over for Omar Infante at second base after Infante’s injury.

Finally, Dayton Moore signed Jonny Gomes as a fill-in when Alex Rios and Kelvin Herrera caught chicken pox in late August. While Gomes has not played particularly well for the Kansas City Royals, he still figures to be a valuable right-handed pinch hitter in October.

Overall, Moore had a tremendous 2015. I think he’s ahead of Alex Anthopolous because he did not compromise his future nearly as severely as Toronto’s GM did at the trade deadline. He’s ahead of Jon Daniels because his team is stronger heading into the playoffs. And I think Moore is ahead of Neal Huntington due to changing the entire perception of his franchise in the last season.

When 2015 began, most pundits concluded that the Kansas City Royals 2014 American League pennant was a fluke accomplishment of a team that got hot at the right time. Now, pundits across the league are treating the KC Royals front office with new respect as a team that found hidden value ahead of the curve.

In my book, that makes Dayton Moore a clear favorite for the 2015 Executive Of The Year.

Next: Chris Young Pitches Himself Into Playoff Rotation Picture