Is Alex Gordon the Royals Future Center Fielder?

His Defense Is Second To None

After 927 career starts in left field, Gordon finally made his first in center on Thursday afternoon against the Rays.  After filling in for Cain at the end of the game the night before, and making an incredible play, Gordon was awarded the start the day after. Both appearances in center showed the athlete that Gordon is, and then some. In arguably the best catch of the year, along with Cain’s grab in Houston, Gordon amazed his teammates by tracking down a long fly ball at the fence. The Royals tweeted about the incredible catch here:

https://twitter.com/Royals/status/862483046997647360

Gordon is a proven four time Gold Glove winner and with no doubt the best left fielder in Royals history. However, with Cain’s contract ending after this season, even if the Royals don’t trade him now, there could still be a spot open. While the ugly .158 average can scare people about is future, as it should, he is a proven veteran who the Royals believe will come out of the slump.

Last years struggles could be blamed on injuries, but this year his trouble at the plate is obvious. Nonetheless, his defense is a valuable weapon the KC Royals will continue to use for the rest of the year.

His perfect 1.000 fielding percentage is obviously leading the majors, and he has actually started in all three outfield positions this season for the first time in his career. It is not secret that Gordon will continue to impress in the outfield, as seen below.

https://twitter.com/Royals/status/862820633494736900

Another incredible feature of Alex Gordon is his innate ability to throw runners out. Gordon has one of the strongest arms in the MLB and teams have been weary to run on Gordo for the past number of seasons.

His 76 career outfield assists easily lead any other outfielder on the team and that is why he is a prime candidate to take over in the middle of the outfield. His speed along with his strong arm is exactly what he needs to be a successful center fielder. Even with the small sample size fans have seen out of him in center, he has already made a couple of magnificent plays.

The Outfield Depth Has Disappeared

Recent center fielders Paulo Orlando and Jarrod Dyson are not currently on this KC Royals team anymore. Paulo Orlando is still in the minor leagues and Jarrod Dyson was traded to the Seattle Mariners this offseason.

It should also be noted that Cain has had numerous visits to the DL, and the only player that could fill his position everyday is Alex Gordon. The opportunity for Alex Gordon to take over in center field is a sensible assumption if Cain doesn’t stay with the team after 2017 as well.

The only problem with Gordon taking over in center has been his recent play at the plate. However, if you take a look at the current outfield starters, only Cain and maybe Bonifacio has good enough numbers to be relied on offensively.

It should also be noted that recent KC Royals teams have included five or even six outfielders at a time, and this current roster only holds four. If Cain leaves, the Royals will be forced to place someone in center.

Lorenzo Cain:  .284 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI

Alex Gordon:  .158 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBI

Jorge Soler:   .056 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI (Disclaimer: Only six games played)

Jorge Bonifacio: .255 BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI

The outfield this season has not been exactly what you call an offensive powerhouse. Only three home runs from the outfield is dead last in the MLB.

All Royals fans know the offensive blues the team has been apart of this season, and most fans can agree that the team will eventually get out of it. Alex Gordon has been bad at the plate that we can all agree on, but his defense is still one of the teams best weapons and will keep him in the lineup even as his batting average drops.

With only four outfielders on the current roster, if Cain moves, Gordon is the best option to take over center field.

Gordon’s contract

When Alex Gordon signed the four-year $72 million dollar contract, I was thrilled. One of the best Royals of the past decade was now most likely going to finish his career with the team he had always been with.

After successful postseasons and a game tying homer in the bottom of the 9th of the World Series, Gordon was the man theKC Royals needed to keep. However, since the signing, his offense has declined and the team has underperformed.

Lorenzo Cain has become an even bigger star since signing the two-year team friendly contract to keep him in Kansas City after the World Series. Now Lorenzo is one of the KC Royals biggest pieces, and one of the most valuable at that. With free agency looming once again, the Royals could easily trade him off if the team continues to struggle.

Even if they don’t, Gordon still has two years left after 2017 and Cain has none unless he is resigned.

The Meaning Of It All

This gives Gordon the clear advantage to take over as the teams primary outfielder for the next two seasons. Yost, if he doesn’t retire, will have no choice but to stick Gordon in center unless Bubba can finally put things together.

I’m going to stick with what I said and say Gordon is easily the more likely option there.

Whether the KC Royals trade or keep Cain this season, there will be questions heading into the offseason on who the next center fielder will be. Alex Gordon has the perfect opportunity to take his talents to center field.

Next: Royals of the 1970s