MLBTR reports that the Royals will retain OF Alex Gordon.
Gordon was one of the top three FA outfielders on the market. But after the pitchers signed their
big deals, the free agent market dried up in December.
So much so that Gordon is taking a contract well below what analysts had predicted he would receive in free agency.
MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan and Yahoo Sports Jeff Passan report the deal is believed to be for four years with a guarantee in the “low-$70MM range,”
Passan wrote that a deal could come together quickly between the two
sides, and it appears just that has occurred. An official announcement
could come later today, says Flanagan, assuming Gordon passes his
physical.
The preliminary figures noted above would appear to suggest that
middle ground was found between team and player. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes had
credited the veteran with earning power
in the five-year, $105MM range entering the winter, and by all
appearances there were numerous other teams with serious interest in his
services.
Teams have become conservative at this stage of the free agent market. It could be that borderline teams do not want to give up a first round draft choice AND sign a $100 million commitment to an outfielder. The White Sox were among the teams with serious interest. A four year deal is at the far end for ownership's risk level with any player, but it would seem Gordon's decision to stay in KC was to continue with a proven winning team.
For the sabermetric crowd, Gordon had the most value of the outfield FAs (Cespedes, Upton) because of his high defensive skills, something that teams like the White Sox are desperate to improve.
If Gordon's contract is in the $70 million range, that may drop the market price for Cespedes and Upton below the $100 million mark. That would mark a major turning point in the free agent market.
