Kansas City Royals Trade, Roster Rumors 2016: Alex Gordon Agrees to Re-Sign
The Kansas City Royals announced on Wednesday that sought-after free agent Alex Gordon has agreed to re-sign with the team for a new deal good for four years. The $72 million contract reportedly also includes a mutual option for the 2020 season.
With this development and after the deal becomes official, it will become the most expensive in the history of the Royals franchise, surpassing the previous high of $55 million. Before the reported agreement, Gordon also became the recipient of another rich deal that was one of the team's highest at that time, though it only was worth $37.
Although this one looks quite a gamble for Kansas City, it is interesting to know that they are one of only seven franchises in MLB history to not give a $100 million or more to any player.
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With the 31-year-old returning, the Royals won't have to shoulder the burden of finding someone else to provide veteran leadership. It's no secret that several clubs expressed interest in acquiring him, especially after playing a major role in the team's first World Series win since 1985. For Gordon, though, he didn't really want to leave, the negotiations were all part of business. "I mean, we all wanted to make it fair for both side. It was definitely a process, but we got to that point and I'm happy with where I'm at now," he said.
Before both parties agreed, team officials handed Gordon a qualifying offer at the start of the offseason, but league rules imply that teams won't be gaining or losing a draft pick if they re-sign a player who happens to be their own qualified free agent. Therefore, as soon as the deal is put in writing, the Royals will be able to keep their first round pick and nothing else. In the event that Gordon decided to sign with another team, the same team that gets him will have to forfeit their highest unprotected draft pick.
