Alex Gordon. (photo/MLB.com)
Outfielder Alex Gordon has turned down his player option with the Kansas City Royals for the 2016 season, making him a free agent. He is free to sign with any club beginning on Friday at 11 p.m. CT.
Gordon, 31, was selected second overall by Kansas City in the 2005 MLB First-Year Player Draft and has been named to each of the last three All-Star Games. Despite missing 48 games due to injury this year, the four-time Rawlings Gold Glove outfielder batted .271 with 18 doubles, 13 homers and 48 RBI in 104 games. He played in all 16 postseason games, hitting .241 with four doubles, two homers and six RBI. He blasted a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game #1 of this year’s World Series, with the Royals prevailing 5-4 in 14 innings.
Alex Gordon’s brief comments at the Royals rally in Kansas City earlier this week
The Royals exercised their 2016 club options for closer Wade Davis and shortstop Alcides Escobar, the team announced. They also declined their option for outfielder Jonny Gomes, making him a free agent.
Davis, 30, will earn $8 million in 2016. His contract also includes a $10 million club option for 2017. Davis spent most of this season as Greg Holland’s setup man before taking over as closer. He had 0.94 ERA in the regular season and did not allow a run in 10 2/3 postseason innings.
Escobar will make $5.25 million next season. His contract includes a $6.5 million option for 2017. Escobar, 28, hit .257/.293/.320 with three home runs and 17 steals during the regular season, then hit .329/.347/.514 in October. He was named ALCS MVP after hitting .478 in the four-game series.
