Longtime Royals front office executive retires

Dean-Taylor;-Kansas-City-Royals

Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore will be taking over for longtime executive Dean Taylor on an interim basis. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Longtime Royals executive Dean Taylor is retiring from the front office, part of a shakeup of the American League champions’ baseball operations department.

Taylor began his career in Kansas City in the early 1980s and spent time with the Atlanta Braves before becoming GM of the Milwaukee Brewers. He also worked for the Dodgers and Reds before returning to the Royals organization in 2006.

Royals GM Dayton Moore said Taylor will serve as a consultant.

Among other moves Monday, J.J. Picollo was promoted to vice-president and assistant GM in charge of player personnel; Rene Francisco was appointed assistant GM of major league and international operations; Scott Sharp was made assistant GM of baseball operations; and Jin Wong became the assistant GM of baseball administration.

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