Royals Rumors: Should Royals Sign Denard Span

The Kansas City Royals rumors quieted down this past week, but outfield help is still one of team’s top priorities in free agency.

The KC Royals haven’t said much about outfielder Alex Gordon, or if re-signing the veteran left fielder is anything more than a pie in the sky.

It’s been rumored that the Royals are offering the first-time free agent around $12-$13 million per year, according to ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden. Gordon could presumably sign for more than four years and $52 million on the open market, so the likelihood of the Royals bringing him back, at the moment, appear slim.

A potential replacement option for the 2016 Kansas City Royals? Outfielder Denard Span. If the Royals and Gordon don’t agree, Span would be a cost-effective replacement who fits the Royals’ plan as a solid professional hitter with defensive versatility. According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, it’s a possibility:

"If the Royals can’t sign Gordon or make a trade, their attention will probably shift to Span, Parra or Fowler. Any one of those three would slot nicely into left field at Kauffman Stadium and be able to spell Lorenzo Cain in center field on occasion."

Span, who like Gordon will turn 32 years old before the season begins, is a left-handed hitting centerfielder who owns a career .287 batting average and a .352 career on-base percentage, both a hair above Gordon’s all-time stats.

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Span played in just 61 games last season, eventually undergoing season-ending hip surgery in late August, but he has played in 128 games or more in five different seasons in his career.

Of course with Span, you lose the power in the lineup that Gordon provides the Royals. Span has 37 home runs in his eight-year career; Gordon has 52 home runs in last three seasons. Gordon owns a higher slugging percentage, a higher OPS+ and he’s a better defensive player than Span.

However Span, a first-round pick selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 2002 amateur draft, is a good baseball player. He’s faster than Gordon and he gives you flexibility in centerfield. And like Gordo – he’s a veteran.

In 2014, Span posted 184 hits, a .302 batting average, knocked 39 doubles and stole 31 bases. Impressive numbers from a contact-hitting outfielder who’s giving you solid defense on the side.

Span, when he’s healthy, would give the Royals a guy who could hit at the top of the order or the end of the order, hit for a consistent .285 batting average and be an above average baserunner. If you can get that on a one or two-year deal, the Royals should jump on it. While he’s not Gordon, he’s a smart, dynamic player who you plug right into a winning atmosphere.

Next: Royals: Five Pitcher To Target In Free Agency

Denard Span is a more affordable left field option than Alex Gordon. While he’s not the player Gordon is, he’s got the tools and ability to fit seamlessly into the 2016 Royals teams. Where do you stand on signing Denard Span?

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