Grading the General Managers: John Schuerholz (1991-2007)

(Go here for the rest of our grades.)

I wasn’t thrilled when I heard the John Schuerholz was hired as GM. Yes, he had a World Series title on his resume but the Royals descended into mediocrity after their ’85 championship, thanks to some questionable trades by Schuerholz.

You’ve heard of the David Cone for Ed Hearn swap, one of the 10 worst trades ever made. Later that year he dealt Danny Jackson to the Reds for Kurt Stillwell and Ted Power. He capped off 1987 with another misguided move, sending up-and-coming hurlers Greg Hibbard and Melido Perez to the White Sox for an over-the-hill Floyd Bannister.

Then, in a span of 8 days in 1989, he signed Storm Davis and Mark Davis to huge contracts…