Kansas City Royals fans were hit with some disappointing rumor chatter just before the holidays last week when it was reported the team had "no chance" of re-signing homegrown outfielder Alex Gordon. However, the veteran publicly spoke on the matter.
Gordon told Ken Hambleton of the Lincoln Journal Star that there was "no truth" to the report and talked more about his current situation as a free agent as the 2016 MLB season approaches.
"Right now I'm unemployed and I pay an agent 4 percent to make the calls, take the calls and let me know what's going on."
"I'm talking with a lot of teams," he added, via Mike Patterson the Omaha World-Herald. "I just want to make the best decision for me and my family."
"The Royals are still in the mix. I know what's going on behind the scenes, and I'm dealing with it the best I can."
Gordon did not weigh in on the contract talks, but previous rumors suggested the Royals were lowballing him with four-year offers in the $50 million range. The soon-to-be 32-year-old just finished up a four-year, $37.5 million deal and declined his player option for the 2016 season in hopes of landing a long-term contract.
It's also been reported Gordon is looking for a deal that will pay him $20 million annually, which is more than likely out of the Royals' financial range. Other MLB clubs such as the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals may also be in play for Gordon, which puts the Royals in a tough spot because many of those teams have much more spending power.
Gordon, a former No. 2 overall pick, hit his stride in 2011 when he became a full-time outfielder and began producing efficiently at the plate. He missed nearly 60 games in 2015 due to a groin injury, but he batted .271/.377/.432 with 40 runs scored, 13 home runs and 48 RBI in 104 games and earned his third consecutive All-Star honors.
He's expected to land a deal that will pay him $90-$100 million, but the market for outfielders is undefined at this point and it's possible his price tag drops.
