Alex Gordon has, as expected, declined his $12.5 million player option for the 2016 season, the Royals announced Wednesday evening. The 31-year-old outfielder will officially become a free agent on Friday.
Gordon posted a cool .809 OPS (120 OPS+) with 13 home runs and 48 RBI in 104 games this season for the World Series champions while continuing to play elite-level defense in left field. He has averaged a .281/.359/.450 slash line with 18 homers and 72 RBI over the last five seasons and is going on his fifth straight Gold Glove Award.
Gordon should do very well for himself this winter, even on the wrong side of age 30.
We’re looking at a stacked free agent class in the outfield between Gordon, Jason Heyward, Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, and Dexter Fowler.
Colby Rasmus, Denard Span, Austin Jackson, and Gerardo Parra are also available.
