J.J. Picollo: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Like all small-market MLB executives, Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo is forced to get creative during the offseason. He has not made a huge free agency signing or blockbuster trade, but KC’s front-office leader has completed multiple under-the-radar moves that could push the team closer toward a playoffs return.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / January 21

One Move Royals Should Make Before Spring Training

Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo has been busy this offseason. After missing the playoffs by five games last year, the club enters the 2026 season with clear areas to address.

Kansas City Royals News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 14

Royals Moving In Outfield Fences At Kauffman Stadium

The Royals announced they’re moving in the outfield fence in both corners (link via Anne Rogers of MLB.com). ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the decision before the club announcement.

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Kansas City Royals News / Field Level Media / January 13

Royals announce new outfield dimensions at Kauffman Stadium

The Kansas City Royals are bringing the outfield fences a little closer to home plate at Kauffman Stadium, the team announced on Tuesday. Per the team-provided diagram, the left- and right-field corners will be pulled in 9 feet to 347 and 344 feet, respectively.

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The 20 most significant MLB Rule 5 draftees

The Rule 5 draft, held annually at the winter meetings in December, never garners much fanfare, but it has been known to yield some noteworthy transactions.

Kansas City Royals News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 2

Will The Royals Trade A Starter?

Early in the offseason, Royals president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo said the team was open to trading a starting pitcher for offense. That would have been focused on the outfield, which has been a problem for the club for years.

Kansas City Royals News / Royals Review / December 18

Kansas City Royals News: Picollo and Garcia talk extension

Hear from J.J. Picollo and Maikel Garcia on the latter’s recent contract extension: View Link Craig Brown at Into the Fountains analyzes the adjustments that fueled Maikel Garcia’s breakout season: Honestly, there’s not much of a difference between the two seasons other than the space between his feet and straightening of his front foot.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / December 15

Royals' J.J. Picollo Sounds Triumphant After Unexpected Brewers Trade

J.J. Picollo was in the right place at the right time. On Saturday, Picollo and the Kansas City Royals acquired outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed pitcher Nick Mears from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-handed pitcher Angel Zerpa.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / December 11

Royals GM Hints At Unconventional Blockbuster Trade Possibility

Until they pull off an acquisition of a difference-maker in the outfield, the Kansas City Royals will constantly be scrutinized for not having landed one yet.

Kansas City Royals News / Last Word On Sports / December 9

The Royals Do Not Have a Roster Issue. They Have a Standards Issue.

The Kansas City Royals keep talking about adding bats and bullpen help, but that is not where the gap is. The real weakness is the Royals’ standards issue in the clubhouse.

Kansas City Royals News / Royals Review / November 13

Picollo: Royals seeking everyday left-fielder and right-handed bat

General managers are meeting this week in Las Vegas, laying the groundwork for deals this offseason. Free agency is officially open, and the Royals have clear needs in their lineup.

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The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

Kansas City Royals News / MLB on ClutchPoints / November 13

Looming Bobby Witt Jr. opt outs draw JJ Picollo contention take

The Kansas City Royals are coming off a disappointing season. After reaching the playoffs for the first time in eight years in 2024, the Royals fell short in 2025.

Kansas City Royals News / Yardbarker / November 12

Royals GM details hopes, potential 2026 plan for Caglianone

Royals GM details hopes, potential 2026 plan for Jac Caglianone

Major League Baseball got its first taste of Jac Caglianone last season. Now Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Piccolo is hoping for a longer, more improved look from the regarded prospect in 2026.

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MLB News / Kansas City Royals on SI / October 16

Royals Could Lose 19-Year Executive To Rockies Front Office: Report

The Kansas City Royals might have a couple of general managers kicking around their front office these days. Obviously, J.J. Picollo holds that title in Kansas City, and he's done a nice job building out his roster and organizational depth chart, especially considering his relatively limited resources.

MLB News / Kansas City Royals on SI / October 16

Royals Could Lose 19-Year Executive To Rockies Front Office: Report

Kansas City Royals News / Royals Review / October 8

Kansas City Royals news: John Sherman talks payroll, Picollo

The offseason news still hasn’t come to a halt for the Kansas City Royals, as CEO/chairman John Sherman sits down with MLB.com’s Anne Rogers. There are plenty of nuggets to glean so go check it out.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / October 5

Royals Terminate Two Assistant Coaches After Rough Offensive Season

The Kansas City Royals declared this week that hitting coach Alec Zumwalt's job was safe. That didn't mean Zumwalt's assistants would be as lucky. Kansas City carried two offensive assistants this season: Keoni De Renne and Joe Dillon.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / October 5

Royals Terminate Two Assistant Coaches After Rough Offensive Season

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / October 1

Royals GM Hints At Possible Staff Changes After Disappointing Season

The Kansas City Royals don't seem to be in the mood for a major shakeup, but it's clear some tweaks need to be made. The Royals put together an 82-80 season and missed the playoffs, just a year removed from their first trip back to October in nearly a decade.

Kansas City Royals News / MLB Trade Rumors / September 30

Royals GM: 'Safe to say' Perez will return to Royals in 2026

Royals GM: 'Safe to say' Salvador Perez will return to Royals in 2026

Perez, 35, has played all 15 of his big-league seasons with Kansas City and is a franchise icon.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / July 8

Royals GM J.J. Picollo's Trade Deadline Message Shows Need For Urgency In KC

Every game the Kansas City Royals play for the rest of July means just a little bit more. Though it's been a disappointing season so far, the Royals aren't buried in the American League Wild Card race.

Kansas City Royals News / MLB Trade Rumors / June 26

Royals GM addresses trade deadline approach

The Royals dropped their fifth straight game last night, falling 4-0 to the Rays. They’re now 38-43, dropping into fourth place in the AL Central behind a Twins club that has also struggled mightily over the past couple weeks.

Kansas City Royals News / Kansas City Royals on SI / June 26

J.J. Picollo's Latest Trade Deadline Comments Show Royals Have No Direction

It's hard to pick a direction when the team you run is showing few, if any, signs of life. That's the predicament in which Kansas City Royals general manager J.J.

Kansas City Royals News / Athlon Sports / February 17

Royals Announce Major Front Office Moves After Breakout Season

The Kansas City Royals are coming off the biggest win improvement in the 2024 MLB season and looking to continue their momentum. After winning just 56 games in 2023, Kansas City won 86 in '24, a 30-win improvement that was 11 better than any team in baseball and second-best in franchise history.

Kansas City Royals News / MLB on ClutchPoints / February 17

Royals hand GM contract extension after 2024 playoff appearance

The Kansas City Royals have awarded their GM a new deal after the team made the playoffs in 2024 for the first time since 2015. J.J. Picollo has received a contract extension that runs through 2030, with a club option for 2024, the Royals announced on Monday.

Kansas City Royals News / MLB on ClutchPoints / December 7, 2024

What Royals want in free agency

The Kansas City Royals surprised many people when they decided to be active in free agency last offseason. President of baseball operations J.J. Picollo acknowledged the restlessness that permeated the clubhouse and fan base, and with a green light from ownership, he brought in crucial difference-makers like Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha.

Kansas City Royals News / Royals Review / October 22, 2024

J.J. Picollo and the front office have their work cut out for them

What to do? Almost immediately after the New York Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals in the American League Divisional Series, discussion turned to next year and what the Royals could to to get back to the playoffs in a stronger position.