DAYTON MOORE

Andrew Benintendi wouldn’t say whether he will get vaccinated for COVID-19 now that he’s with the first-place New York Yankees rather than the last-place Kansa City Royals.

Texas Rangers v Kansas City Royals KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JUNE 28: Whit Merrifield #15 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with teammates after scoring the first run against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 28, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. That's the only reason that I would think about getting it at this point, is to go to Canada. And as I communicated with Whit about that, he made it very clear he was sorry for how that came out. I'm not going to kick him when he's down, because I do know what Whit Merrifield has meant to our team, the great work he does in this community and I just think it was a very poor choice of words. Funnily enough, the Royals then won their first game against the Blue Jays 3-1, despite featuring five Triple-A players and three Double-A players on their roster.

Tigers Royals Baseball Kansas City Royals' Andrew Benintendi slides across home plate to score against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. — (AP) — The Kansas City Royals spent Thursday patching up a roster missing 10 players who were barred from traveling to Toronto because of their COVID-19 vaccination status while trying to smooth over their damaged image among fans. The Royals players will forfeit four days of pay and major league service time in accordance with the terms of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement. That means they will collectively lose $726,128 in salary, headlined by Benintendi losing $186,813, Merrifield losing $153,846, Keller losing $106,044 and Dozier and Taylor losing $98,901 apiece. The moves leave Kansas City with two roster spots still available for this weekend.

The Kansas City Royals are busy patching up a roster decimated by players barred from traveling to Toronto because of their COVID-19 vaccination status while trying to heal their damaged image among fans.

Royals Twins Baseball Kansas City Royals Whit Merrifield (15) fist-bumps Hunter Dozier after Merrifield scored on a Andrew Benintendi sacrifice fly off Minnesota Twins pitcher Juan Minaya in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Minneapolis. — (AP) — The Kansas City Royals promoted general manager Dayton Moore to president of baseball operations and elevated longtime assistant GM J.J. Picollo to fill his previous role in a front-office shakeup Tuesday that promises a seamless path forward for the rebuilding organization. But there have been signs that another breakthrough is on the horizon as a wave of talented young pitchers continues to help Kansas City win games down the stretch this season. They reached the World Series the following year, losing to the Giants in a dramatic series that came down to the final out of Game 7 in Kansas City. In that role, Picollo worked closely with the Royals' entire minor league setup, ushering players from their first steps in pro ball all the way to the majors.

Royals Twins Baseball Kansas City Royals Whit Merrifield (15) fist-bumps Hunter Dozier after Merrifield scored on a Andrew Benintendi sacrifice fly off Minnesota Twins pitcher Juan Minaya in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Minneapolis. — (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are promoting general manager Dayton Moore to club president and elevating longtime assistant GM J.J. Picollo to fill his role, a person familiar with the front-office movements told The Associated Press on Tuesday. But there have been signs that another breakthrough is on the horizon as a wave of talented young pitchers continues to help Kansas City win games down the stretch this season. Picollo, who has interviewed for several GM jobs, has long been considered Moore's heir apparent. They worked together in Atlanta before coming to Kansas City, where Picollo rose from an area scout to assistant GM in charge of player personnel.

The Kansas City Royals are promoting general manager Dayton Moore to club president.

The Kansas City Royals are promoting general manager Dayton Moore to club president and elevating longtime assistant GM J.J. Picollo to fill his role, a person familiar with the front-office movements told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The 54-year-old Moore presided over one of the most remarkable turnarounds in baseball history, leading the long-suffering Royals from a team that regularly lost 100 games upon his 2006 arrival to one that reached consecutive World Series. The Royals have been on another major rebuilding effort after the small-market club was unable to keep some of the big names that ushered in their winning era.

FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 file photo, Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez celebrates with third base coach Vance Wilson after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Royals have given six-time All-Star catcher Salvador Prez the richest contract in club history, a four-year, $82 million deal that begins in 2022. Kansas City announced Sunday, March 21, 2021 it had extended Prez's time with the team. That's when the Royals gave the six-time All-Star catcher an $82 million, four-year deal — the richest in club history — that will begin after his current contract in 2022. The value of the new deal surpasses the $72 million four-year contract the Royals gave outfielder Alex Gordon in 2016.

– The Royals made official their $25 million, four-year contract with third baseman Hunter Dozier on Monday, ensuring that another member of their young foundation is under club control for the foreseeable future. And we want that to happen in Kansas City.”AdDozier's deal replaces a $2.72 million, one-year contract he agreed to on Dec. 2. He gets a $1 million signing bonus and will earn $2.25 million this year, $4.5 million in 2022, $7.25 million in 2023 and $9 million in 2024. The Royals have a $10 million option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout. Ad“Hunter is willing to do whatever is necessary to help the team win,” Moore added.

AdStill, the Royals believe Dozier will revert to form with a full spring training and 162-game season. “I definitely don't think you throw it away,” he said. So I'm definitely looking forward to a normal season.”Dozier is also looking forward to a consistent spot in the everyday lineup. AdGiven his relatively bumpy road to this point, Dozier — and evidently the Royals — believe his best is yet to come. But I definitely think there is another level.

– The Kansas City Royals and veteran first baseman Carlos Santana have agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract that plugs one of their biggest offensive holes while providing some clubhouse leadership for a rebuilding club. The 34-year-old Santana was an All-Star two years ago in Cleveland, when he hit a career-best .281 with 34 homers and 93 RBIs. Santana has hit .288 with 31 homers and 93 RBIs in 151 career games against them, the best of any team in the division. Relief pitcher Mike Minor signed an $18 million, two-year deal and outfielder Michael Taylor a $1.75 million deal for next season, and nearly all their arbitration-eligible players are under contract. That includes an $8.05 million contract for slugger Jorge Soler and a $3.35 million deal for staff ace Brad Keller.