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Nothing real groundbreaking here, but Ken Rosenthal dedicated a good chunk of his column tonight to the problem the Royals face with signing Gordon.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/k...-league-122115

By Ken Rosenthal
Dec 21, 2015 at 8:52p ET

Here’s the catch for the Royals with free-agent outfielder Alex Gordon: Re-signing him would be a hedge against other Royals stars leaving in the future. But re-signing him also could make it more likely that some of those players depart.

Five prominent Royals -- first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas, shortstop Alcides Escobar, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and closer Wade Davis -- are eligible to become free agents after the 2017 season.

Hosmer and Moustakas, as Scott Boras clients, are unlikely to sign extensions. Davis’ price, if he remains a dominant closer, figures to be extreme. Escobar and Cain, as up-the-middle defenders, also could be expensive.

Of course, a lot could happen over the next two seasons, but Gordon represents the first financial challenge for the reigning World Series champions. Calling it a “test” would be an oversimplification, when so much else is involved.

Only two free-agent position players have signed multi-year contracts this offseason for more than $20 million guaranteed -- outfielder Jason Heyward and infielder Ben Zobrist.


Gordon, who turns 32 in February, remains among the unemployed, but seemingly in a more secure position than most. Rival executives and agents say it all the time: “He can always go back to the Royals.”

Yoenis Cespedes does not appear to have that option with the Mets. Justin Upton certainly does not have it with the Padres. But the Royals are leaving the proverbial light on for Gordon, hoping that no other team will pay him enough to abandon the comfort he enjoys in Kansas City.

The Cubs’ agreement with Heyward on Dec. 11 did not, as many anticipated, trigger a run on free-agent outfielders. The market for Gordon remains unclear, but the Royals remain in position to move on him if the opportunity arises.

The team has made only modest additions thus far, replacing Ryan Madson by signing Joakim Soria to a three-year, $25 million contract and bringing back right-hander Chris Young on a two-year, $11.5 million deal. But the Royals still need a starter to replace Johnny Cueto. And they need to find two outfielders, considering that Alex Rios is a free agent along with Gordon.

The question for the Royals with Gordon is the same as it is for every team with free agents: How much is too much?

A five-year, $100 million contract -- the price for Gordon that some predicted when the market opened -- likely would be beyond the Royals’ comfort level. But even a lesser deal -- say, four years, $76 million -- might be a reach.

Only the Royals know where the sweet spot is. The problem with their pursuit of Gordon is that they could be damned if they do and damned if they don’t.