Kansas City Royals sold to John Sherman pending MLB approval

The Kansas City Royals are set to have new ownership, as David Glass has agreed to sell the team to John Sherman for $1 billion, pending MLB approval.

Nothing lasts forever, especially in Major League Baseball. Players arrive as rookies, play their entire careers, and retire. Some find success, even if it is fleeting. Others become superstars, but even then, they fade away. Managers are hired to be fired. Even ownership, while generally outlasting the players, changes on every team.

Pending MLB approval, that change is coming to the Kansas City Royals. Long time owner David Glass has agreed to sell the team to Kansas City businessman John Sherman for a $1 billion price tag.

This sale moved rather quickly. Rumors of the Royals even being on the block did not surface until just a couple of days ago, fueling plenty of speculation. However, there was only silence from the Glass family, and the expected no comment from the front office.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

However, timing may be of the essence. As Bob Nightengale pointed out on Thursday, Glass has been dealing with health concerns. Depending on the severity of his medical problems, that sale may have needed to be agreed to quickly, or the team could be held up as part of his estate.

In Sherman, the Royals get a local owner who just so happens to be a fan of the team. He was a season ticket holder until he purchased a part of the division rival Indians, and is considered a lifelong baseball fan. That fandom, coupled with his desire to win, could change the perception of the Royals throughout the league.

It is also important that the Royals ownership is in place in time for the offseason. Plenty of decisions will need to be made, including whether or not to offer Ned Yost the managerial position, the constitution of the front office, and which free agents to target. Will Sherman be willing to open the checkbook and make the Royals players in free agency as they look to return to the postseason? Or will he be patient and let Dayton Moore continue his rebuild?

The Kansas City Royals have been sold to local businessman John Sherman. A new era is set to dawn in the coming weeks.