KANSAS CITY -- The Royals and Alex Gordon have completed a one-year deal that will bring him back for the 2020 season.
The deal will be for $4 million with performance bonus incentives, according to a source. Sources also indicated that Gordon has waived his 10-and-5 no-trade rights, but would get a $500,000 assignment bonus if traded.
It is likely that Gordon will be present for a news conference at Friday’s Royals FanFest celebration.
Gordon, 35, hit .266 in 2019 with 13 home runs and 76 RBIs, his highest RBI total since 2013.
Gordon also won his seventh Gold Glove Award in 2019. He has made three All-Star Games, and in 2014 he won the American League Platinum Glove Award as the best defensive outfielder. He will return to patrol left field, while Whit Merrifield will take over in center field and Hunter Dozier will play right field following the signing of free-agent third baseman Maikel Franco.
Gordon played in 150 games and had 633 plate appearances, his highest totals since 2014, last year. The Royals, though, seem likely go a bit easier on his playing time in order to give opportunities to Bubba Starling and Brett Phillips, both of whom are out of options.
Gordon told MLB.com last May that he was “60-40” on returning to the Royals for 2020. After winning the Gold Glove Award in November, he told reporters in a conference call that after listening to new manager Mike Matheny’s introductory news conference, he was itching to return in 2020.
Gordon signed a four-year, $72 million contract in January o2016, the richest contract awarded any Royal. Gordon had a $4 million buyout on his mutual option for 2020, though $500,000 was paid on that during the season, making the final figure $3.5 million.
--- Royals.com ---