5 free agent targets for the Atlanta Braves
By John Buhler
Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals leftfielder
Getting Alex Gordon to leave the only franchise he’s ever played for in Kansas City after they won their first World Series in 30 years seems almost impossible for any of the other 29 teams. However, Gordon enters free agency as a major commodity in leftfield, should any club be willing to pay top dollar for his services.
Gordon is a 3x American League All-Star and a 4x Gold Glove winner for the Royals. He was their second overall pick in the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft out of the University of Nebraska. After struggling in his first few big league seasons, Gordon seemed to hit his stride as the Royals started to become relevant in 2013. He was a major piece in the last two World Series runs for Kansas City.
What could lure Gordon away from Kansas City and to Atlanta is that both organizations are cut from the same cloth culturally. Team President John Schuerholz helped build the great Royals teams of the 1970’s to 1980’s before becoming the general manager of the Atlanta Braves in 1991. Two of the John Schuerholz and former manager Bobby Cox’s disciples are running Kansas City now in general manager Dayton Moore and manager Ned Yost.
Gordon could hit second of fifth and play terrific left field for the club should Atlanta not look to move Hector Olivera to the outfield. Alex Gordon has the athleticism to play center field and he would have a better opportunity of doing that in Atlanta. No way will he usurp Lorenzo Cain in centerfield in Kansas City.
Alex Gordon has a certain level of baseball savvy that Atlanta covets. Getting Alex Gordon would be like getting a rangier, more powerful version of Nick Markakis that could play the other corner outfield position for the Atlanta Braves. Expect Atlanta to pursue Gordon diligently this free agency period.
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