The Kansas City Royals (71-46) are experiencing one of the best seasons in the history of the franchise and could be poised for a World Series run this year. But rumors indicate next season could be much different for the club depending on how things transpire.
Outfielder Alex Gordon and general manager Dayton Moore could be gone if Kansas City doesn't get to work on extending them for the foreseeable future. Gordon is in the final season of his four-year, $37.5 million contract whereas Moore signed an extension in 2013 that will keep him with the Royals through the 2016 season.
"Alex Gordon is expected by everyone around the team to turn down his $12.5-million player option (it's a fait accompli he will at least turn his option into an extension; he will not simply pick it up, though Gordon hasn't commented on it lately), but the Royals are determined to give it their best shot to retain him on a long-term contract," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Rumors of Gordon declining his player option date back to the middle of last season.
Gordon has been the team's best player since 2011. He injured his groin in early July and is expected to be out a little while longer, even though the Kansas City Star reported he will begin a rehab assignment this weekend. Based on his production since then it's clear he's worth more than his annual salaries over that span and he'll likely seek a bigger, long-term deal in free agency, especially since he's regarded as the best defensive left fielder in the MLB.
While Heyman noted the Royals will work to retain him beyond 2015, it's unclear if they'll have the financial resources to do so.
The man who takes care of such finances is Moore, but what if he's gone too?
"Few names have been tied to the Angels' GM job. Here's one: It would be interesting to see if they could try to make a run at Royals GM Dayton Moore," Heyman adds. "Pitching coach Mike Butcher obviously isn't calling the shots, but it can't hurt that he's known Moore since they were teenagers in the Quad Cities (Moore at Moline High, Butcher at Rock Island). While the Royals-owning Glasses have told people Moore can stay 'as long as he wants,' despite the amazing renaissance there, they haven't yet extended him past 2016."
With so many general managers on the hot seat throughout the MLB, notable names such as Dave Dombrowski, Jerry Dipoto, Dan Duquette and others have been thrown out there as possible replacements. GM changes in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Miami, Milwaukee and Seattle could be on the way, so is it crazy to think one of those clubs would try to coax Moore to leave Kansas City?
After all, unless Royals' ownership drastically increases payroll, the team is expected to run into some financial issues issues. Players such as Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Wade Davis, Alcides Escobar and Salvador Perez are all due for raises in subsequent seasons, which will likely inhibit the team's activity on the free agent market. The only major salary coming off the books in 2016 will be Alex Rios' $9.5 million.
Plus, it's likely Moore views himself as one of the top front office executives in the game, and with Theo Epstein making $4 million per year and Andrew Friedman making $7 million per year, it's a foregone conclusion another organization would not hesitate to offer him a deal the Royals may not be able to match.
The only thing for certain in all of this speculation is that Gordon will be declining his $12.5 million player option. Whether the Royals will be able to retain him and Moore for the long-term is unknown, and both will be big storylines heading into the offseason.
