Royals Rumors: Team Told They Are Out of Running for Alex Gordon

The Royals rumors are being extremely harsh today as the KC Royals learned they may be out of the running to re-sign left fielder Alex Gordon.

The Kansas City Royals, the only organization for which Alex Gordon has ever played, have been told by Gordon’s agent that the team has “no chance” to re-sign their four-time Gold Glove winner.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, there is a huge gap between what the KC Royals are willing to pay Gordon, and what he is looking for in free agency. It appears that unless the team is willing to significantly up their offer, talks with Gordon are stalled.

While this may be sad for Royals fans, it is not terribly surprising. Gordon is a tremendous fielder but only an average hitter. He will be 32 years old in February and has suffered some key injuries to his wrist and groin over the last two seasons.

The Royals cannot afford to overpay too much, no matter how much sentimentality they may feel toward Gordon.

From Heyman’s article today:

"‘The Royals have been told by Alex Gordon’s camp that, as things currently stand, they have “no chance” to retain star left fielder Alex Gordon, sources said. Things obviously can change in free agency, but it’s clear at this point that there’s at least a wide gap in talks regarding the longtime Royals outfielder.s article today."

That does not sound too promising.

"Gordon, a home-grown Royal and Nebraska native, took a hometown discount in signing a four-year deal with the Royals four years ago but doesn’t appear as interested in such a deal this time."

This is very true, but is Alex Gordon worth $20 million a season for three or four years? Absolutely not!

He has only a .269 career batting average and has hit over .300 just once, batting .303 in 2011. That is also the only season in which he hit more than 20 home runs in a season, knocking out 23.

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These are not the numbers of a player who should be earning $20 million a year.

Look, we all love Alex Gordon and the things he has done for this franchise. His value lies in his ability to get on base (career .348 On Base Percentage) and his awesome defense.

Even though he has four Gold Gloves on his mantle, a small market team, even one flush with two years worth of postseason cash, can’t afford to spend that much money on a player who is average on offense, no matter how good he is on defense.

Could the Royals offer Gordon as much as $15 million a year? Probably, but it would be tough to include a fourth year. Gordon plays very hard, and that hard nose style of play is starting to catch up with him.

That style of play is what endeared Gordon to fans in the first place, but it can take a toll on the body.

If Gordon gets a contract for $20 million a year, good for him, but it shouldn’t be the KC Royals who overpay.

Next: Where Is Gordon on the Royals HR List?

If Alex Gordon has indeed moved on, then Royals rumors are sure to start cranking up as the Royals look harder at other options. Check in for all the news, rumors, and analysis for the Kansas City Royals