Kansas City Royals do the right thing by Alex Gordon

The Kansas City Royals have brought Alex Gordon back for one last rodeo, which is how it should be.

More often than not, fan favorites find themselves hanging on for one year too long, the mind saying that they can still be productive even when their body is telling them otherwise. This leads to situations where the aging greats find themselves in an unfamiliar uniform, desperately trying to recapture their former glory.

For the Kansas City Royals, this will not be an issue for at least one franchise great. On Wednesday, it was announced that Alex Gordon will return for one last rodeo, signing a contract worth $4 million.

After a disappointing first three seasons following the four year contract he received following the 2015 campaign, Gordon showed signs of life with the bat once again. In what could be considered a rebound season offensively, Gordon produced a respectable .266/.345/.396 batting line, hitting 31 doubles and 13 homers.

While the production was welcome, Gordon’s greatest asset remains his defense. He was second amongst American League left fielders with ten runs saved in 2019 and third with seven outfield assists, all while leading the league in putouts and range factor. Unsurprisingly, Gordon earned his seventh Gold Glove award.

Yet, this move is not without some degree of controversy. The Royals, quite simply, are not going to contend in 2020. Gordon’s spot in the lineup could be taken by the likes of Bubba Starling or Brett Phillips, giving Kansas City a chance to see if either of those players could be a part of the future core.

Regardless of how the future plays out, this is how it should end for Gordon. He should be able to spend what is likely to be his final season in a Royals uniform, soaking in the appreciation from the fans for a solid career. At the end of the day, Gordon is a fan favorite, one of the better players in franchise history.

Alex Gordon is back with the Kansas City Royals for the 2020 season. This is exactly how it should be.