KC Royals: Breaking Down the Payroll for 2016
By Joel Wagler
Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) – Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
KC Royals Players with Options for 2016
Let’s take a look at these salary numbers from Spotrac.com:
- Jeremy Guthrie – $10 million – mutual option with $3.2 million club buy-out
- Alex Rios – $12.5 million – mutual option with $1.5 million club buy-out
- Wade Davis – $8 million – team option
- Alcides Escobar – $5.25 million – team option
- Alex Gordon – $14 million – player option
A couple of these are no-brainers. The KC Royals are not going to let Davis and Escobar go anywhere. As much as he has been a big part of the Royals’ rise to the top, it is not likely the team would bring back Guthrie for ten million dollars. There is no way Alex Rios will be back either.
The Royals do have to pay Guthrie $3.2 million in a buyout. That’s steep, but not as steep as paying $10 million for a pitcher with an ERA on the topside of 5.00.
That leaves this question mark – Will Alex Gordon be a part of this team in 2016. Wishful thinking has Gordon taking the option and worrying about the future after the 2016 season. That isn’t usually how things work. It is probable that Gordon will refuse the option and test his value on the open market.
The key will be if the Royals can keep him in Kansas City for the next four years for under $70 million.
The KC Royals would LOVE Gordon to take the option, but they will probably have to wait and see where his value will land. He will be 32 years old this offseason. It might be tough for the team to go more than four years.
Gordon keeps himself in great shape, but his lovable style of play can lead to injuries as he ages, as in right now.
The key will be if the Royals can keep him in Kansas City for the next four years for under $70 million. If he is getting offers higher than that, it might be tough for the Royals to compete.
So, with Davis and Escobar, and the buy-out for Guthrie and Rios, add in $17.95 million to the 2016 payroll.
Now, on to the arbitration-eligible players.
Next: Get Who Will Raises Under Arbitration