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KC Royals: Do Fans Believe Alex Gordon Should be Traded?

By Shane Jackson |
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Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Ah what a generation we live in today with social media and sports. Immediately following Paulo Orlando’s walk-off grand slam, KC Royals twitter went rightfully nuts. It was a big deal – it was after all just the fifth time it had been done in franchise’s history.

Many adorable Royals fans took to Twitter saying that Orlando should replace Alex Rios or something in that ballpark (Pun absolutely intended).

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The fans have a point, Rios certainly hasn’t done much in a Royals uniform to justify the front office for going out and getting him this offseason. Nor has he done much to back

Ned Yost

in the future if he decided to keep Rios on the roster as opposed to the hot commodity – Paulo Grand-Slam-O.

But backtracking to this beautiful world we live in where fans can tweet their sports related opinions. Often in sports, especially today, we can be blinded by the moment.

After Odell Beckham Jr. makes a miraculous catch millions of people take to Twitter and say how that’s the greatest catch in the history of football without really going back and considering the other nominees.

That’s the beautiful thing about sports and right or not — it’s the world we live in and gives us plenty to talk about.

However the most ridiculous “blinded by the moment” came not from a 140-character statement. It came from a random caller on the County Mart Call in Show with Josh Vernier on 610 sports radio.

Random caller brought up the idea of trading Alex Gordon due to his potential departure and of course the recent triumph of Orlando.

I have come accustomed to fans in this area saying ridiculous when it comes to sports. But what I found is this random caller isn’t alone. Several days ago I saw a couple tweets directed towards KC Royals beat writer Andy McCullough if Kansas City should indeed part ways with the All-Star Left Fielder.

Let’s get this out of the way first; I agree with John Viril that the Royals should go for broke when it comes to the trade deadline. The Royals have a short window here for a chance to claim the crown and this year seems as likely as any.

But trading away their gold glover would be a catastrophic mistake. A mistake I don’t think the Royals are going to make. Yes – I am aware that it is very likely that Gordon walks at the end of this year for hefty check without Kansas City getting anything in return but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Here are the three main reasons the Royals should NOT trade Gordon.

Next: The intangibles matter

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

1. Clubhouse Chemistry

“It would disrupt clubhouse chemistry” is an ever so popular reason for not going out getting landing a big fish via trade. This is typically overrated in my personal opinion, but when it comes to Gordon this is something to take in consideration.

The KC Royals currently boast the best record in the American League and have as much of chance of making a deep postseason run as anyone. One of the best things about last season’s postseason run was the endless showers of champagne in the postgame celebrations.

That has carried over this season. While Salvador Perez has taken over the postgame dumping of Gatorade on the star of the game, Gordon is still considered to be a major piece in the clubhouse, a player who helps lead the Royals through example.

Even the national media can admit the Royals play with a boyish spirit and seem to have a family bond. Trading away the older brother would cause chaos for the family.

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Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

2. Defense

Another factor in that deep postseason run in 2014 that was often talked about by the national media was the outstanding defense the Royals displayed. Especially in playoff baseball, defense and speed is more important than ever before for a team trying to win a World Series.

Gordon has been the anchor of that defining defense for quite some time now. Fans are constantly talking about the four-time Gold Glover’s latest jaw-dropping catch.


Little leaguers model their game after him, or at least his son does. Guys develop man crushes on him (guilty) and women want to have his children. Trading away Gordon would not only decimate the defense but it would crush the hearts and souls of the blossoming collection of Royals fans in Kansas City.

Next: What is Gordon's value?

Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

3. No Return

Lastly, the biggest reason to not trade Gordon is the simple fact – Kansas City wouldn’t get enough in return. He is an All-Star; nay, an All-Star STARTER. While being an All-Star may not seem like that big of a deal, it does set the bar for the type of return the KC Royals would need.

I don’t see any other Major League teams blowing up Dayton Moore’s phone with a Andrew McCutchen-like player.

No, more than likely with the questionable contract Gordon suitors would deal out prospects in return. Didn’t I just mention the Royals have a short window? What good would shipping a cornerstone for a few farmhands who won’t help out the ball club in the short term.

Obviously most of you love Gordon just as much as me and agree with everything I just said. But the fact there still is a small party that believes the KC Royals should ship out Alex Gordon is baffling to me.

But hey that’s what makes sports great, right?

Next: A Look at the Royals Four All Stars

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