If Alex Gordon does not exercise his option for 2016 to stay in Kansas City, the Cubs could be one of the teams in the mix to sign him according to Joel Sherman.
Alex Gordon has a player option for 2016 on what would be the last year of the contract extension he signed with the Royals in March 2012. By making the AL All-Star team, the option increased from $12.5 million to $14 million for the 2016 season.
Gordon told Jon Heyman he doesn’t want to leave Kansas City. “I want to be here. This is like my second home. We love it here. Obviously things happen, but this is where we want to be.”
Multiple reports have suggested Gordon will not exercise his option and will become a free agent.
In a report focused on the Red Sox likely making a play for Alex Gordon, Joel Sherman reported the Cubs and Astros are two teams, along with Boston, that would be interested in signing Gordon if he declines his option. Sherman thinks Gordon could sign a four, if not a five-year contract even though he turns 32 in February.
If Gordon does opt out, he should have a rather long list of teams to choose from this winter.
Alex Gordon is considered the best left fielder in the game with Yoenis Cespedes running a close second. Gordon has taken home a Gold Glove the last four seasons. Gordon is a complete player that would improve the Cubs outfield defense and give Joe Maddon another left handed bat in his lineup.
Gordon missed time (July 9-Sept 1) during the regular season with a strained left groin muscle but has not shown any lingering effects during the playoffs.
For the first time since 2010, Gordon played less than 150 games during the regular season. Gordon hit .271/.377/.432 in 104 games with 18 doubles and 13 home runs for a .809 OPS. Gordon walked 49 times in 422 plate appearances with 92 strikeouts.
Outside of Kauffman Stadium, Gordon batted .258/.371/.452 with nine doubles and nine home runs for a .823 OPS. And against southpaws this season, Gordon hit .280/.377/.440 with a .817 OPS.
When looking at Gordon’s splits, his career numbers are not the best indication of how well he has performed. Gordon struggled early in his career before shifting to the outfield and putting it together in 2011.
From 2011-14, Gordon hit .283/.360/.472 with a .832 OPS against left-handed pitchers and batted .259/.342/.406 versus right handers. Gordon actually hit better on the road than at home in three seasons leading up to 2015. Gordon had a .277/.363/.442 line with 45 doubles, four triples and 27 home runs for a .805 OPS in 812 games. At home, Gordon hit .256/.331/.412with 34 doubles, three triples and 25 home runs for a .743 OPS in 738 games.
Theo Epstein said last week one of the areas the Cubs would like to improve on this winter and will put an emphasis on in Spring Training is outfield defense. Adding Alex Gordon would be a big step in improving the defense in the outfield and could push Kyle Schwarber to the other corner. Gordon would also upgrade an offense that needs to make more contact.
• Alex Gordon’s Page on Baseball-Reference