Atlanta Braves: Why hiring Dayton Moore makes sense

We’re entering what may become the darkest hours of the Braves’ rebuild with John Coppolella resigning amidst a scandal involving international player signings. The next week or so will be crucial to the organization’s future, as the right hire could continue the direction of Coppolella’s rebuild, while the wrong one could derail the train completely.

The Atlanta Braves could take a couple of routes in hiring a new GM on short notice. They could hire from within, but that’s highly improbable. I don’t see anyone, aside from an aging John Hart, in the Braves’ organization that could comfortably step into a GM role of a team in the middle of a rebuild, which leaves only the option of an outside hire.

I’ve seen Dan Jennings’ name come up, but let’s cut to the chase with Jennings: As an executive, he knows very little success.

Jennings worked in various scouting roles before joining the Marlins in 2002.  The Marlins’ 2003 World Series title can’t exactly be traced back to Jennings’ work as then VP of Player Personnel, but the Marlins’ lack of success during Jennings’ time as Assistant GM/GM from 2007-to-2015 does reflect poorly on his ability to build a winning team.

But… Dayton Moore…

If the Braves want to win, they’ll hire someone who’s familiar with winning, and that guy is Dayton Moore. Moore is not only familiar with winning, but with the Atlanta Braves’ organization, in which he started his MLB career as a scout back in 1994.

Back to where it all began..

It’s always nice to see a familiar face, and with John Schuerholz still actively involved with the Atlanta Braves (for now), Dayton Moore’s return to the organization that started it all seems like quite the homecoming.

Moore and Schuerholz worked together from 1994 until Moore’s departure for Kansas City in 2006, and Schuerholz’s prodigy has since made quite the name for himself as an MLB executive.

Prior to Moore’s arrival in Kansas City, the Royals had endured four 100-loss seasons, as well as three last place finishes, from 2002-to-2006. Once Dayton Moore took over, he got to work, acquiring Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Salvador Perez, Yordano Ventura, Kelvin Herrera and Greg Holland all in his first three years on the job.

Moore went on to assemble his highly affordable super-team through successful drafts and trades over the next few years, and the rest, as you know, is history…

He’s no stranger to a rebuild

I mentioned it earlier, but this is the most important aspect of Dayton Moore’s career in regards to him being a fit for the Braves’ GM job. He was in full control of the Royals’ rebuild, which started with almost nothing, and he achieved the ultimate goal of a World Series title.

While the Royals’ success was short-lived, it was a sign that Moore knows how to build a team. In coming to Atlanta, he would take on what’s already an excellent farm system with several waves of elite prospects making their way towards the MLB. All Dayton Moore would have to do is continue to add to the system in the coming years.

The Royals’ rebuild, much like Atlanta’s current one, was centered around pitching. Yes, they had some great position players on their two World Series rosters, but without the trio of Herrera, Holland and Wade Davis in the bullpen, as well as solid starting rotations bolstered by Yordano Ventura, James Shields and Danny Duffy, Kansas City’s success wouldn’t have been near possible.

Plus, it’s time to go!

More from Tomahawk Take

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• Braves News: Reacting to Dansby’s departure, Michael Brantley, more
• Atlanta Braves: Best Option at Shortstop Now That Dansby Swanson is Gone
• Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos’ views on the offseason so far
• Braves News: Dansby goes to the Cubs, prospect rankings, more

Kansas City’s window for success is closing rapidly. The Royals have finished the past two seasons at or below .500, and half of the team’s offense could potentially be lost to free agency this offseason.

Things aren’t looking good for the future of the Royals, and Dayton Moore should be darting for the door while he still has a decent job within his reach.

With the events surrounding John Coppolella’s resignation unfolding, it’s not even certain that John Schuerholz and John Hart will be around much longer. If Dayton Moore is a smart man, which I believe he is, he’ll take the Atlanta Braves’ GM job while he can, and could potentially serve as more than just the GM if things go south with Schuerholz and Hart.

Next: Details about the ongoing investigation of the Braves

Please come home, Dayton.