Kansas City Royals: Alex Gordon has unique trade condition in contract

Alex Gordon may be back with the Kansas City Royals, but that does not mean his career will necessarily end with the only franchise he has known.

When the Kansas City Royals announced that Alex Gordon was returning for the 2020 campaign, it seemed inevitable that he would be retiring as a member of the franchise. At 36 years old entering the upcoming season, it appeared unlikely that he will be playing anywhere else.

Yet that may not be the case at all. As it turns out, Gordon has a clause in his contract that would allow the Royals to trade him. Should another team be interested in acquiring his services, he has agreed to permit a trade after June 16.

As a 10-5 player, Gordon would have every right to refuse such a deal. With the Royals being the only franchise he has known, and his adamance that he would only return to play if it was in Kansas City, it would seem that he has no desire to be anywhere else.

However, time is running out on his career. Likewise, the Royals window of contention, unless a myriad of things go right this year, is still at least two years away. Gordon may simply want to have another chance at a championship, willing to spend his last few months in another uniform to get one last crack at a ring.

It is also possible that the Royals could get back a viable prospect for his services. After three mediocre years with the bat, Gordon somewhat righted the ship in 2019, posting a .266/.345/.396 batting line, with 31 doubles and 13 homers. While that production is useful, any interested teams would be acquiring Gordon for his defense, as he saved another ten runs in left while earning his seventh Gold Glove award.

Should the Royals fall out of contention, it is possible that a team would be looking for a player like Gordon to help for the stretch run. Should he produce at a respectable clip with the bat again in 2020, and his defense remains the same, Gordon could bring back a prospect to help the Royals rebuild.

Alex Gordon may not end his career in a Kansas City Royals uniform after all. He has given the team permission to trade him in his contract, as long as that happens after June 16.