[ROYC75]

Alex Gordon agrees to return to World Series champion Royals
10:22 AM ET

ESPN.com news services

Email
print
comment

Another big free agent appears to be off the market, as Alex Gordon has agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal to return to the Kansas City Royals, a source told ESPN's Buster Olney.

The deal, which is pending a physical, was first reported by MLB.com.

Multiple teams had been linked to Gordon, who last season helped lead the Royals to their first World Series title since 1985.

Gordon played in only 109 games last season due to injuries, batting .271 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs. He is a .269 hitter with a .783 OPS in nine seasons, all with the Royals.

Gordon hit just .241 with two home runs in the postseason, but the latter home run rescued the Kansas City Royals from a likely defeat in the opening game of the World Series. Gordon tied the score in the ninth inning of Game 1 off New York Mets All-Star closer Jeurys Familia made Eric Hosmer's 14th-inning walk-off sacrifice fly, and a 1-0 series lead, possible.

The three-time All Star is considered one of the best defensive left fielders in the game, having won four Gold Gloves.

On Nov. 4, Gordon declined his 2016 player option, worth $13.75 million with postseason escalators included, to test free agency for the first time before his age-32 season. Gordon signed a four-year $37.5 million contract before the 2012 season.

Gordon had been one of the top free-agent outfielders, along with Yoenis Cespedes, who is still available. Other big names out there are first baseman Chris Davis, outfielders Justin Upton and Dexter Fowler and left-hander Wei-Yin Chen.