Kansas City Royals working to do right by Alex Gordon

If Alex Gordon returns to play one more season, it will only be with the Kansas City Royals. The franchise is working to make that happen.

As the offseason approached, there was a good deal of speculation surrounding Alex Gordon. While it was obvious that the Kansas City Royals would decline their end of a mutual option, opting to pay him $4 million instead of a guaranteed $23 million for 2020, the questions involved whether or not Gordon would even want to continue playing.

That question was answered, but not in a yes or no format. Gordon was willing to play in 2020, but only with the Royals. However, with Kansas City in the midst of a rebuild, it was not a given that they would want the aging outfielder to return.

In the end, despite the Royals common sense decision to decline his option, there was mutual interest in continuing the relationship. According to Jon Heyman, a reunion appears likely, as the Royals are working to bring Gordon back as their starting left fielder for 2020.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

After signing a four year extension following the Royals World Series victory in 2015, Gordon had not been the same player with the bat. He did have a bit of a resurrection last season, as his .266/.345/.396 batting line, hitting 13 homers and 31 doubles. His 96 OPS+ was the best of that period, as Gordon began to look like himself at the plate once more.

As heartening as it is to see Gordon produce like a viable major leaguer once again, his biggest selling point remains his spectacular defense. Gordon won his seventh Gold Glove in left this past year, as he led the league in range factor while ranking second with 10 runs saved.

In the end, it is the right decision for both sides. If Gordon was to come back with another team, it just would not feel right. Likewise, if he wanted to return, but the Royals spurned his request for a final season in a year where they are not likely to contend, it could have created resentment from the players and fanbase. Instead, Gordon will get his swansong, and one of the most important pieces to the Royals’ most recent run of success will remain Forever Royal.

The Kansas City Royals are working towards bringing Alex Gordon back as their starting left fielder. That was the only truly acceptable outcome of his free agency.