The Royals and longtime franchise cornerstone Alex Gordon are in talks to orchestrate a new deal this week that will keep Gordon in Kansas City, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com (via Twitter). MLB Network’s Jon Heyman adds that it’s “hard to imagine” Gordon doesn’t return for another season. 2020 would be his age-36 season.
An estimate of the price point isn’t yet known, though it’s safe to say any new deal (likely a one-year pact) will pay Gordon a good bit less than the $23MM he would’ve taken home had his 2020 option been exercised. He’s already collected a $4MM buyout after the Royals declined their end of the mutual option.
There’s no doubt that Gordon is no longer the player he was at the time that contract extension was signed. Still, he graded out as a net positive for the 2019 Royals, and his .741 OPS was his highest mark since 2015. He earned yet another Gold Glove award—his third straight and the seventh of his career—and was one of just a few veterans on an otherwise youthful Royals club. And with a new manager heading the clubhouse in 2020, Gordon could be an especially valuable presence as Mike Matheny acclimates to his new situation.
Gordon has made it known that he will only continue his career in the Royals uniform that he has worn for his entire career, which began in 2005 when he was Kansas City’s first-round draft choice. The only remaining question was whether Gordon would retire after playing the 2019 season at age 35. At this point, it appears retirement is off the table. And with mutual interest between the two sides, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be. Despite some promising young Major Leaguers and a burgeoning farm system, the Royals still look to be a few years away from genuine contention, so bringing Gordon back at little cost can hardly hurt their situation.
why not at a low price. looked revitalized early on last year.
I thought he didn’t want to come back to lose according to previous articles. It doesn’t look like they’ll be winning much this year.
He’s never said that. In fact he said the opposite he’s not going to go play for someone else just to chase another ring. If he feels the drive to play, he’ll play for us. If not, he’s gonna go home.
I’d like to see a link those articles LOL
Those last few sentences contradict each other.
Agreed. Reads like retirement is the likely outcome.
Yeah… “The only remaining question was whether Gordon would retire after playing the 2019 season at age 35. At this point, it appears that’s the likely outcome.”
So you caught that too eh?
Yeah, I re-read that part about three-four times, thinking I missed something..Then, I was like wait, maybe that first part was an update from a previous article, but nope. Lol
I normally never comment on any minor errors or mistakes by the writers here, because I typically at least understand their point, or what they meant to say, but this one LEGIT threw me for a loop..
Good ol’ George, such a trickster!! haha
Dude has a neck like a redwood trunk
You’re right. that baseball ref pic is insane
lol he looks like he’s been burning the Denver lettuce
Sleep apnea
1 year deal for $5-$6M. He already collected $4M this off season so that nets him $9-$10M for his final season…not too shabby for a soon to be 36 year old who’s prime has long since passed.
Gordon is a stud. His work ethic is “2nd” to none. He is in better shape then alot of ball players in the 30 year old range. Actually maybe 28 to 30 years of age. He would be an asset to the teams new young players. Last year he looked like the Gordon we were used to seeing. I mean, he won another GOLD GLOVE!!
He has been and will be an asset to the Royals organization. He is very professional and I truly DREAD the day he decides to retire. He is a SPECIAL PLAYER!! I FEEL VERY BLESSED THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE A PLAYER LIKE GORDO IN MY LIFETIME. HE TRULY IS A ROYAL FOREVER!!! DROP THE MIC!
Alex, is that you?
Hasn’t he been way overpaid for years?
That extension didn’t
work out well for the
Royals…..
Why is 2nd in quotes?
Because it follows 1st. Duh.
Certainly can’t argue with that
There was
no 1st
mentioned.
Duh…..
“Duh”
jorge, 1st was not mentioned but implied. Duh.
If he ever goes missing, we know where to look.
He s stud in the field, agreed….but his bat hasn’t been good for quite a while.
Mrs. Gordon ?
Dud, is that spittle coming
out of you?
I laughed way too hard at this
Cant really even count the buyout that money was paid under his previous deal
Gordon has had a very unique career so far
That’s very kind. Bless his heart.
His $113M is very unimpressed with your comment.
How so?
Gordon deserves to retire as a Royal. Rather it be now or after next season, he’s paid his dues and should have that right. It’s unheard of a player playing his career out with a organization he started in. That’s baseball in this era. Good for Gordon to being loyal to K.C and K.C for having faith in Gordon.
“Good for Gordon to being loyal to K.C and K.C for having faith in Gordon.”
Maybe but let’s be honest. K.C. paid him a fortune ($48MM) for three abysmally mediocre seasons (2016-2018). Being intellectually honest, it has to be bittersweet at best.
If I recall correctly, he had larger offers from other teams but decided to come back to KC after wining the World Series in 2015. He felt like he owed it to the organization which is truly refreshing.
I think he always wanted to come back to Kansas City regardless. It’s close to his home town of Lincoln Nebraska where his mother still resides (His dad died two years ago). And he comes back to Lincoln once in a while because I know he went to one of the nebraska football games this past year. I don’t think any other team would’ve been offering him money because he lives in Kansas City full time so that would’ve been a little difficult with his kids in school, To play in another city.
I don’t recall any large offers then. I remember
MLBTR predicting 3/42.
He was coming off an
injury shortened year
(yes with a WS win) but
I remember thinking
“what a massive overpay.”
Dude’s done nothing in
the last 4 years except
strikeout a lot. Don’t get
me wrong, I’m a Royals
fan (their fans are the nicest people!) and I
guessed the Royals
rewarded him for that
WS win. Well done Royals!
You don’t see enough of
that anymore. As much
as D. Moore (the GM)
makes me cringe with
his haircut, he and the
owner have big hearts.
Paid his dues!!??
He won a World Series!
Good for both sides and the fans if this comes through. One franchise players are rare. I know how much Tim Salmon is loved here.
And seeing him one last time and applauding him as he leaves the field will be cool.
I also know Angels fans still love Darin Erstad because they really wanted him to come back to LA and manage the team.
Yep. Although I’m not in the camp wanting him to manage
At the time people were clamoring for Darin to manage in LA, he was still coaching the Nebraska Cornhuskers baseball team. But he resigned back in May and they hired a new coach so now he’s just enjoying his kids growing up for the rest the years he’ll be able to watch.
Fort Knox of Gold Glovers.
2 years 20 million. That’s fair all around. If he is still producing they can negotiate again after 2022.
No way he gets 2 years
Actually I see him signing for one year 3 million or less. It doesn’t need to be two years. I want this to be an official farewell tour. Last year I don’t think anyone really saw Ned Yost retiring at the end of the season. So his farewell was the last home series of the year. Alex’s should be the 2020 season if he indeed does come back.
3 million sounds about right…..
Don’t get why they wouldn’t use this opportunity to have Brett Phillips and Bubba Starling get more playing time. I guess they just want his veteran leadership for the young guys?
It’s not like he’s going to play 162 games (Even he needs a rest once in a while). The only game he should play instead of Philips is the husker theme night if they have that again in 2020.
Husker theme night!!??
Sounds cool!
Yeah I got to go last season I missed some of the big stuff they had before the game begins but it was really cool when I found out that will shields got to throw out the first pitch. Was also in the buck O’Neil legacy seat. When my group was standing in line to be checked in and receive our husker theme night hat it was really cool because nebraska fans were saying “go big red” and people would respond “go big red” back.
Still plenty of room for those guys after they trade Merrifield.
Gordon is one of those players who is more valuable to his own club than he would be elsewhere. Similar to a Brock Holt for Boston (but Gordon is much more valuable to KC). He’s a career .258 batter, averaging 14 HRs and 57 RBI per season over his 13 year career in KC. His 7 gold gloves are certainly impressive but his work ethic, leadership and community service has really elevated his status in the KC market to that of a true super star. He had a resurgence of sorts last season, so I’m happy for him that he’s considering coming back for another season to help his younger teammates know what it means to be a professional and a KC Royal. Baseball needs more Alex Gordon’s and less mercenaries looking for the highest possible payday. I hope he finishes his career with a bang; he has certainly earned the right to do so.
“I hope he finishes his career with a bang; he has certainly earned the right to do so.”
I agree. I would also add that K.C. has also earned (paid for) the right for him to do so.
You’re missing the point dude…..
No, I’m not. I’m just making a different one. It happens.
My thoughts exactly!
Class dude. I’m glad
KC is loyal to guys
like that!
So is he likely to retire or come back for another year? Or is he jacking up while he doesn’t have a contract and therefore doesnt have to worry about being tested for anything? Some of these guys having strong years at age 36-39 really come out of nowhere. Maybe it’s the new offseason conditioning and diet? 🙂
Vince McMahon vitamin pack.
He’ll probably play at least one more year, but if he were to not play another one, he’d finish his career with 666 walks lol.
Satan is that you?
He never sleeps…..
G Brett is the face of the franchise and thier link to the 85 championship. Alex will be the same after he retires. Alex never quite lived up to his draft status but hes been a great Royal. Hopefully he will sign for 1 more year then join the front office as a pr guy and thier link to the 15 championship
Hall of Famer at the bank though
Front office has been talking about a truncated rebuild for years, been drafting college rather than high school players..
They should make a big move: sign Donaldson. Not the longest term commitment, can fit him on the books easily, plenty of roster space for him, seems like he would be a great “fit” on the team/in KC.
Too late, they signed Franco. Doesn’t Donaldson play third?
They are not trading merrifield
That article makes it found as though both sides have a mutual interest in Gordon retiring.
Seven gold gloves? Didn’t realize that. My bad.