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MLB Free Agency: 5 potential landing spots for Alex Gordon

By Kyle Franzoni

Oct 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) celebrates with second baseman Ben Zobrist (18) after scoring during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game four of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) celebrates with second baseman Ben Zobrist (18) after scoring during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game four of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Gordon, the face of the World Series champion Kansas City Royals is now a free agent. Let the suitors line up.

The 2015-16 MLB free agent class is certainly an interesting mix of players, and very few of them are sure things as far as one-stop franchise saviors go either. The latest entrant to the field is no different, as Alex Gordon enters the fray and brings a unique skill set to the table.

Gordon officially became a free agent on Wednesday, after informing the Kansas City Royals that he was declining his player option for the 2016 season. In doing so, Gordon is walking away from a guaranteed $12.5 million salary for next season and betting that he can land a long-term deal on the open market. It’s a bold move, but considering the general lack of outfield depth among free agents and the fact that Gordon will be 32-years-old on Opening Day in 2016, it was a safe bet to make.

Gordon had a rather auspicious start to his MLB career. The second pick of the 2005 draft, Gordon rose quickly and made his Major League debut in 2007. However, he failed to fully channel his skills at the plate and struggled in the field until making the move from third base to the outfield in 2011. Suddenly he jumped from a below-replacement level player in 2010 (-0.6 WAR) to one of the most productive outfielders in the league in 2011 (6.6 WAR).

The outfielder has maintained that production since, tallying 28.7 WAR since 2011. In that time, he’s slashed .281/.359/.450 and averaged 35 doubles, 18 home runs, 72 RBI, and 82 runs per season. Additionally, he’s ranked among the league’s best defenders, placing 7th in the league in UZR/150 with a mark of 13.2, third in defensive runs saved with 94, and has paced all of baseball in runs saved via his arm (ARM) with a mark of 38.6.

The question of course is how much value that will lead to for a 32-year-old outfielder on the open market. There will undoubtedly be suitors, and the size of the market will likely ensure a deal over $100 million for Gordon. The length of a deal will be a sticking point, as younger outfielders in Jason Heyward and Justin Upton will command more years.

So who will be the main bidders for Alex Gordon’s services?

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