Kansas City Royals news: End of season press conference is held

The Kansas City Royals held their end-of-season press conference at Kauffman Stadium following a disappointing 2026 campaign. General manager J.J. Picollo expressed frustration after the team missed the postseason for the second consecutive year, finishing with a 69-93 record at the bottom of the AL Central. Picollo emphasized the need to optimize the current roster and focus on both 2027 and long-term success.

As part of immediate organizational changes, Picollo announced an overhaul of the team's training staff. Head athletic trainer Kyle Turner, assistant athletic trainer Chris DeLucia, and major league rehab coordinator Jeff Blum will not return to the organization. Additionally, changes to the coaching staff include the departure of hitting coach Alec Zumwalt following the conclusion of the season.