Royals could lose Alex Gordon

Sure-Oz · 08-18-2005, 09:51 AM

Royals, Gordon run short on time

By JEFF PASSAN

The Kansas City Star

WICHITA — Royals first-round pick Alex Gordon said Wednesday that he has registered for classes at the University of Nebraska and doesn’t expect to play minor-league baseball this season.

If Gordon, the No. 2 overall pick in June’s draft, attends class starting Monday, the Royals lose his rights, and he goes back into the 2006 draft pool. He is eligible to play one more season for the Cornhuskers.

“I don’t think I will,” Gordon, a third baseman, said by phone from Lincoln, Neb. “But I’m enrolled in classes.”

With most minor-league seasons ending in early September, Gordon and Royals scouting director Deric Ladnier acknowledged Gordon wouldn’t play for one of the team’s affiliates this year.

“The season’s ending soon, and that’s out of the picture right now,” said Gordon, 21. “Of course I would like to start playing. But like I said, things haven’t been going the way we planned.”

Perhaps Gordon could join the Royals’ Instructional League team in September or October, though negotiations between Ladnier and Gordon’s agent, Casey Close, have stalled.

Gordon, the consensus national college player of the year after hitting .372 with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs as a junior, is seeking a contract similar to that of Stephen Drew. A shortstop considered the best player in the 2004 draft, Drew dropped to the 15th pick because of contract demands. After a long holdout, Drew signed a major-league contract for $5.5 million with a $4 million bonus.

The Royals are believed to have offered a $3.8 million bonus without a major-league contract, which Gordon called “really important.”

“I’d love to have one,” he said. “But it’s not all that we’re looking for.”

The Royals are not prepared to offer a major-league deal, which puts the player on the 40-man roster and is commonplace for No. 1 overall picks and other players thought to be close to the big leagues.

“That, at this time, is something we’re not going to do,” Ladnier said.

Asked whether the Royals would consider offering a major-league contract in the future, Ladnier said: “Not to my knowledge.”

Gordon said the Royals’ struggles wouldn’t deter him from signing.

“I respect Kansas City,” he said. “They’re just going through a rough time. They have a lot of young prospects. It could be an upside in the future.”

If Gordon chooses to return to Nebraska, that future might not include him.

“He has that option to do so,” Ladnier said. “I can’t keep him from going to school.

“You would like to think (he’ll sign) given the fact that it’s a significant amount of money we’ve got on the table.”

I hope this is a bluff by him.....

BigChiefFan · 08-18-2005, 09:53 AM

The sports news in Kansas City just keeps getting better and better. WTF?!!!

Dr. Johnny Fever · 08-18-2005, 09:53 AM

It would be a perfectly Royal thing to happen if we were to lose Gordon. Just throw another turd on the pile.

**Bowser** · 08-18-2005, 09:54 AM

Yeah, I don't know why the Royals would want to offer him a major league contract. Dude is already better than 2/3rds of what they have sitting on the bench.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 08-18-2005, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Yeah, I don't know why the Royals would want to offer him a major league contract. Dude is already better than 2/3rds of what they have sitting on the bench.

Well they wouldn't want to rush the kid you know. They just don't do that kind of thing.

BigChiefFan · 08-18-2005, 09:59 AM

The Royals are a ****ing joke any more-I can't believe they aren't willing to make him part of the 40 man roster.

Uatu · 08-18-2005, 10:00 AM

Well beer me, if they did something right you wouldn't have anything to post about.

**PHOG** · 08-18-2005, 10:02 AM

Un****ing believable.

Kraut · 08-18-2005, 10:02 AM

I really do feel sorry for this team. As a Yankee fan I'm sure it really doesnt matter how I feel, but for you Royal fans, you have my sympathy...

**Dartgod** · 08-18-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Yeah, I don't know why the Royals would want to offer him a major league contract. Dude is already better than 2/3rds of what they have sitting on the bench.

**dirk digler** · 08-18-2005, 10:03 AM

Baird is a joke and needs to shit canned if this happens.

beavis · 08-18-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uatu

Well beer me, if they did something right you wouldn't have anything to post about.

No kidding.

oldandslow · 08-18-2005, 10:06 AM

Actually, I am taking the Royals side here.

The Cards signed Rick Ankiel and J.D. Drew to major league contracts a few years ago and both turned into disasters that ended up costing the Cards rosters spots as well as big bucks.

Baseball picks are a crap shoot -- much moreso than even football -- Pujols was picked in something like the 20th round and Drew was the number 1 or 2 pick in the draft.

Pujols worked his way through the system and THEN got his big contract. That is the way it should be.

Drew sucked and Ankiel was a head case. Neither were worth the roster spots or signing bonuses.

As I said, I am with the Royals on this one. Screw this guy.

Mr. Laz · 08-18-2005, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Yeah, I don't know why the Royals would want to offer him a major league contract. Dude is already better than 2/3rds of what they have sitting on the bench.

because it starts the free agency clock for him immediately

meaning they Royals will just lose him faster

**Bowser** · 08-18-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

because it starts the free agency clock for him immediately

meaning they Royals will just lose him faster

Yeah, I'd sure hate to light a fire under the collective asses of Royals management to get something done right with this roster.

08-18-2005, 09:51 AM
Sure-Oz Stay positive, don't give up Join Date: Dec 2001 Casino cash: $3469383	Royals could lose Alex Gordon Royals, Gordon run short on time By JEFF PASSAN The Kansas City Star WICHITA — Royals first-round pick Alex Gordon said Wednesday that he has registered for classes at the University of Nebraska and doesn’t expect to play minor-league baseball this season. If Gordon, the No. 2 overall pick in June’s draft, attends class starting Monday, the Royals lose his rights, and he goes back into the 2006 draft pool. He is eligible to play one more season for the Cornhuskers. “I don’t think I will,” Gordon, a third baseman, said by phone from Lincoln, Neb. “But I’m enrolled in classes.” With most minor-league seasons ending in early September, Gordon and Royals scouting director Deric Ladnier acknowledged Gordon wouldn’t play for one of the team’s affiliates this year. “The season’s ending soon, and that’s out of the picture right now,” said Gordon, 21. “Of course I would like to start playing. But like I said, things haven’t been going the way we planned.” Perhaps Gordon could join the Royals’ Instructional League team in September or October, though negotiations between Ladnier and Gordon’s agent, Casey Close, have stalled. Gordon, the consensus national college player of the year after hitting .372 with 19 home runs and 66 RBIs as a junior, is seeking a contract similar to that of Stephen Drew. A shortstop considered the best player in the 2004 draft, Drew dropped to the 15th pick because of contract demands. After a long holdout, Drew signed a major-league contract for $5.5 million with a $4 million bonus. The Royals are believed to have offered a $3.8 million bonus without a major-league contract, which Gordon called “really important.” “I’d love to have one,” he said. “But it’s not all that we’re looking for.” The Royals are not prepared to offer a major-league deal, which puts the player on the 40-man roster and is commonplace for No. 1 overall picks and other players thought to be close to the big leagues. “That, at this time, is something we’re not going to do,” Ladnier said. Asked whether the Royals would consider offering a major-league contract in the future, Ladnier said: “Not to my knowledge.” Gordon said the Royals’ struggles wouldn’t deter him from signing. “I respect Kansas City,” he said. “They’re just going through a rough time. They have a lot of young prospects. It could be an upside in the future.” If Gordon chooses to return to Nebraska, that future might not include him. “He has that option to do so,” Ladnier said. “I can’t keep him from going to school. “You would like to think (he’ll sign) given the fact that it’s a significant amount of money we’ve got on the table.” I hope this is a bluff by him.....
Posts: 46,182

08-18-2005, 09:53 AM	#2
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	The sports news in Kansas City just keeps getting better and better. WTF?!!! __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

08-18-2005, 09:53 AM	#3
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	It would be a perfectly Royal thing to happen if we were to lose Gordon. Just throw another turd on the pile. __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell
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08-18-2005, 09:54 AM	#4
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3521616	Yeah, I don't know why the Royals would want to offer him a major league contract. Dude is already better than 2/3rds of what they have sitting on the bench.
Posts: 100,455

08-18-2005, 09:59 AM	#6
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	The Royals are a ****ing joke any more-I can't believe they aren't willing to make him part of the 40 man roster. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

08-18-2005, 10:00 AM	#7
Uatu Starter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Blue Area Casino cash: $10004900	Well beer me, if they did something right you wouldn't have anything to post about.
Posts: 659

08-18-2005, 10:02 AM	#8
PHOG Dazed and Confused Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Somewhere Out There Casino cash: $2130500	Un****ing believable.
Posts: 15,076

08-18-2005, 10:02 AM	#9
Kraut Don't Make Me Angry... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hells Kitchen, NY Casino cash: $9984925	I really do feel sorry for this team. As a Yankee fan I'm sure it really doesnt matter how I feel, but for you Royal fans, you have my sympathy...
Posts: 7,428

08-18-2005, 10:03 AM	#11
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3344644	Baird is a joke and needs to shit canned if this happens.
Posts: 66,241

08-18-2005, 10:06 AM	#13
oldandslow Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $5583149	Actually, I am taking the Royals side here. The Cards signed Rick Ankiel and J.D. Drew to major league contracts a few years ago and both turned into disasters that ended up costing the Cards rosters spots as well as big bucks. Baseball picks are a crap shoot -- much moreso than even football -- Pujols was picked in something like the 20th round and Drew was the number 1 or 2 pick in the draft. Pujols worked his way through the system and THEN got his big contract. That is the way it should be. Drew sucked and Ankiel was a head case. Neither were worth the roster spots or signing bonuses. As I said, I am with the Royals on this one. Screw this guy.
Posts: 4,561