KC Royals: Candidates to Replace Alex Gordon

Sep 26, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) hits a walk off two run home run during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. The Rockies won 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Gonzalez

Thirty-year-old Carlos Gonzalez might be the most exciting name on the list. Gonzalez slammed 40 home runs for the Rockies last season, while playing a credible right field. His .271/.325/.540 slash line and left-handed bat would make him a more than adequate replacement for Alex Gordon.

Of course, the problem with Colorado hitters are you have to wonder what they will do away from Coors Field. Last year, Gonzalez showed a pretty severe home and away split, hitting .299/.355/.617 with 24 dingers at home and .243/.294/.464 with 16 homers on the road.

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Last seasons home and away splits mirror his career numbers. In eight seasons in Colorado, Gonzalez has hit .324/.382/604 at home and .255/.310/.441 on the road.

Carlos Gonzalez is still an above-average offensive player on the road, but not the lineup centerpiece that his overall numbers would lead you to believe.

Defensively, Carlos Gonzalez can play all three outfield positions and has won three gold gloves—the last one coming in 2013. But, don’t think he’s up to Alex Gordon’s standard as a corner outfielder.

Gonzalez has posted negative Ultimate Zone Ratings (UZR) the last two seasons (-1.9 in 2015, -9.4 in 2014) after knee surgery in 2014. He did, however, earn a +5 defensive run saved (DRS) in 2015. Carlos Gonzalez also possesses a legitimate right field arm, posting eight assists in 2015 and 41 total since 2011.

The problem with Carlos Gonzalez is that he only has two more years of team control remaining, and he won’t come cheap. First, Gonzalez will cost $37 million over the next two seasons. Second, the Rockies asking price for him is bound to be high.

Can the KC Royals afford to surrender more prospects after dealing five pitchers at the trade deadline to load up for last season’s successful World Series run? A CarGo deal will probably require at least one of Raul Mondesi, Miguel Almonte, or Kyle Zimmer plus two other prospects, to make the trade happen.

Next: Denard Span