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KC Royals: How Alex Gordon returning in 2020 would affect rebuild

By Leigh Oleszczak

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Alex Gordon #4 of the Kansas City Royals runs back to second base in the sixth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 19, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Royals defeated the Angels 5-1. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Alex Gordon #4 of the Kansas City Royals runs back to second base in the sixth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 19, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Royals defeated the Angels 5-1. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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Alex Gordon is in the fourth and final year of his massive $72 million contract he inked in 2016. There has been talk that Gordon is interested in returning in 2020, but how would this affect the KC Royals’ rebuild?

Most Kansas City Royals fans had somewhat come to terms that this would more than likely be Alex Gordon‘s final year, at least as a Royal. Last Friday, however, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com published a piece on how Gordon is “leaning toward playing after this year”. 

Before we dive into the premise of the piece, it’s worth mentioning that Gordon has an option on his contract for the 2020 season, but it’s worth $23 million and the Royals will surely decline that. It also includes a $4 million buyout.

There’s likely a way that the team can bring him back without picking up the option and Gordon said in Flanagan’s piece that he doesn’t want to play anywhere else. Yes, that probably means he won’t be getting traded at the deadline due to his 10-5 rights.

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"“I don’t want to play anywhere else,” Gordon said. “Yeah, I want to retire as a Royal. I’ve established my family here with my kids. This is home."

Royals fans adore Gordon and it’s great to see him have a bounce back year in 2019 after struggling for the first three years of his mega-deal. Prior to the doubleheader in St. Louis, Gordon was slashing .292/.389/.528 with eight home runs and 34 RBI.

The issue with bringing Gordon back in 2020 is that this organization is in the midst of a rebuild and Gordon isn’t part of the future. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Alex Gordon and all that he’s done for the KC Royals during his time in Kansas City (also, GO BIG RED), but this is a franchise who needs to start preparing the young talent for the future.

If Gordon returns in 2020, left field is shored up and he’s essentially blocking any prospects from getting a shot there.

Flanagan mentioned in his piece how Jorge Soler could be an option in left field moving forward. Whit Merrifield is also an option, as well as Brett Phillips or Bubba Starling (still pulling for you, Bubba!). There are younger options to man left field who would also have cheaper contracts on the books.

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If Alex Gordon does decide to return in 2020 and signs a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals, it might be good for the fans, but is it the best thing for the Royals rebuild?

What do you think, Royals fans?

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