Email a copy of 'Free Agent Stock Watch: Alex Gordon' to a friend
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By charliewilmoth | at
Email a copy of 'Free Agent Stock Watch: Alex Gordon' to a friend
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ianthomasmalone
Gordon is having an injury plagued year that’s seen his defense decline and is going to be 32 before the start of next season. Giving him 100+ million seems like a terrible idea and I’m not really sure which teams would want to get in on that. Maybe the Angels.
Koby2
Injury plagued? He’s had one injury that’s caused him to miss time.
ilikebaseball 2
Missing a third of the season to an injury, would be an injury plagued season.
ianthomasmalone
What part of “year” did you miss?
JoeyPankake
He pretty much meets all the Angels criteria for a big free agency expenditure.
mrkinsm
All you have to do is look at the available free agents every year, teams have allocated funds – they will spend it – which means he’ll be paid; paid well.
donniebaseball
Obviously a great player. One thing to note is that players aren’t compensated as much for their defense compared to players who are known for their offense.
thecoffinnail
Tell that to the Heyward fans.. They are dead set on him getting a $200m contract this offseason.. There has been a few debates on that here on the mlbtr comment section..
Stonehands
I think the $200mil contract talks have more to do with his age. If Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez can both make around $20mil AAV, I think Heyward deserves around that much as well. factor in $20m AAV on what could be a 10 year deal and there is your $200mil. I personally see him getting in the 8/170-9/180 range, but $200mil would not surprise me
thecoffinnail
My thing is with so much of his value tied up in defense what happens if he wrecks his knees in a couple of years and his defense falls of a cliff? I am not doubting the fact that he is a $20m+ a year player but I am doubtful a team is willing to give him that for 10 years based mainly on defense.. The argument I hear the most is “he hasn’t entered his prime yet” when his offense is questioned.. The only thing he has that gives him a shot at $200m is his age but I just don’t see that as enough for a team to risk that much money on a player whose best offensive season was his rookie year.. I see him getting a Porcello type contract because of his age and then hitting the market again when/if his offensive prime occurs.. Regardless, I am definitely going to state he will not break $150m.. If I am wrong I will eat a ton of crow and admit my ignorance on all things Heyward when his new deal is announced here on mlbtr this offseason..
ronnsnow
I can’t wait to see which team gets burned by giving Heyward $200m. Definitely won’t be the Cardinals though. I think they make a serious run at Alex Gordon
stl_cards16 2
The Cardinals aren’t going after Gordon. They have plenty of outfield options if Heyward signs elsewhere
Dock_Elvis
I seem to say it alot, but Gordon is probably more likely than most to stay with his current team. I have to imagine the Royals have been planning for his impending free agency as well. He’s a bit like Joe Mauer is in his situation in Minnesota. Gordon grew up a Royals fan in Nebraska, so KC is home to him for all practical purposes. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s a 100% lock to stay in KC…but I’d say his odds are higher of staying than typical free agents.
Joseph Anderson
Agree. He’ll still make decent money but not as much as if he leaves. If the R’s were still in the dumps with no glimmer of hope, I could see him packing his bags but he’s been around through the tough years and the near future is looking bright. A couple more years until that team gets shaken up from free agency but no reason to leave yet. People try to make the argument that the R’s let Butler go but we all wanted him gone. He’s a fan favorite off the field but on the field, he contributed next to nothing in terms of full-time DH’s go. I see Gordo staying in KC at a moderate discount. If he does leave though he’ll wanna stay in Lincoln if he’s in Nebraska. Probably only place he won’t get boo’d out of lol
Dock_Elvis
Butler leaving wasn’t only logical given his contract desire….it was good sense. Butler would be a massive hole in that DH slot now…and they’d probably be on the hook for another 15-20m had they resigned him.
seamaholic 2
I’ll bet both Gordon and Heyward stay where they are this off-season. Particularly if the Royals go deep in the playoffs. Their window isn’t open THAT much longer, and they’ll want to keep the gang together and have the ability to do that. And as far as Heyward goes, the Cards have the money and they’re better at producing pitchers than position players. Upton and Cespedes are wide open though. Angels will grab one for sure (unless they trade for someone).
cxcx
I could see the Red Sox getting him, would seem like a “win the World Series next year” type of move. Also the Cubs; they could pay him $20m+ for 5 years before they need to start paying Bryant and some other guys big money.
thecoffinnail
The Red Sox will not be chasing Gordon.. Their OF is set even if they manage to unload Ramirez.. The Cubs are set on corner OF too with Schwarber and Soler.. Unless they deal Montero and move Schwarber to catcher which I don’t see happening.. The Cubs need a CF for next year.. I would like to see them trade Lester to the Yankees for Ellsbury.. Big contract for big contract.. The Cubs would get their CF and the Yankees could move Gardner to CF.. Then bring up Judge for LF
Draven Moss
The Cubs aren’t gonna trade Lester for Ellsbury. It makes no sense whatsoever. Ellsbury skill-set shouldn’t age well.
thecoffinnail
I am sorry to say that the Royals are one team that I don’t pay as much attention to as I should.. That being said would it be fair to make a comparison of Gordon to Gardner in New York? They seem to be similar players with Gardner being a bit younger.. I know Gardner probably took a big home town discount when he signed his extension, especially since Ellsbury, who is also a player of the same mold, got that huge contract out of New York.. I think just about everybody saw Gardner as trade bait until he signed that very team friendly contract.. I am hoping Gordon initially saying he was going to exercise his option shows that the dollar amount isn’t as important if he gets to stay in KC.. Maybe KC could offer him an extra year or 2 of guaranteed money more than other teams will.. Something like 7/$98.. Less AAV more years.. He seems to be really happy in KC and the fans seem to love him.. So, I am hoping a small market team can actually keep one of their stars for their entire career.. Its a shame we don’t see it more..
ianthomasmalone
Gardner may have taken a big discount, but he wasn’t going to come close to Ellsbury’s contract. Ellsbury got paid for his two monster years whereas Garnder’s really only had one and it was a few years before he signed that extension.
mrkinsm
Why on earth would he sign that deal? He can probably get a 5 year deal in the same neighborhood this winter.
Dock_Elvis
I’ll compare Gordon to Mauer in Minnesota. Not in sheer ability..but club presence and respect. When I hear Gordon discussed as a player..this is an element that isn’t always brought up. He grew up in Nebraska idolizing George Brett..long drives to the stadium from there. He’s a former #1 pick for them….If a player plays an entire career in a single uniform…big if I know… It’s guys like Mauer and Gordon
Joseph Anderson
Don’t forget, they’re also the ones that convinced him to move from 3B to OF and made him the player he is today. Guys like Gordon and Mauer respect and appreciate the little things like that.
Dock_Elvis
Gordon also stumbled out of the gate in his career…and many were calling for a change of scenery. I believe the Jays were highly interested in him…but the Royals held him.
Out of place Met fan
Every Royals related post mentions pending FA, yet omits Escobar who could be the most difficult to resign.
dmm1047
What was Texas thinking when they signed Choo? Looking at some of the big contracts and the lack of production those players are providing, I’m wondering how much longer MLB owners are going the vault for these guys. The Cubs gave Lester $25 mil a year, the Sox media still lament his loss in a big way, yet he’ll be lucky to reach 10-12 wins.
stl_cards16 2
Lucky for Jon Lester, there isn’t anyone that matters to him that cares how many Wins he finishes the season with.