Reasons Kansas City Royals fans have to be thankful this Thanksgiving

1.) Dayton Moore is still around

The image of Dayton Moore as a sort of Theo Epstein-lite has taken a hit in the past year. That doesn’t mean the Kansas City Royals general manager has completely lost his mojo. There’s a reason David Glass didn’t let Atlanta talk to him this winter: Moore remains a well-respected GM.

One could argue he’s swung and missed on several trades over the past year. Had Nate Karns stayed healthy, it’s hard to argue trading an aging fourth outfielder about to hit free agency for a starting pitcher. Granted the team could have used Dyson in center with Lorenzo Cain in right field, but assuming Karns recovers fully it’s a palatable trade. The others? Not so much.

You would struggle to find a Kansas City Royals fan who thinks trading Wade Davis for Jorge Soler was a good idea. However, Soler still has time to change that narrative. While the cost was considerably lower, Melky Cabrera‘s return to KC at the trade deadline didn’t go well. Although, it went better than the trade with San Diego that brought Trevor Cahill, Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter to the Royals. Only Buchter turned out to be useful in that deal.

All that aside, Moore deserves the benefit of the doubt. He built the Kansas City Royals into contenders, and he has earned the opportunity to see the team through another rebuild. Fans should be thankful the franchise is still in Moore’s capable hands.