KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals and outfielder Alex Gordon avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $4,775,000.
Gordon could earn a $25,000 bonus for getting 700 plate appearances, 12 more than his career high set last year.
An arbitration hearing was scheduled for next week. Gordon filed a request for $5.45 million, while the team countered with $4.15 million. He made $1.5 million last season.
Gordon is coming off a breakout season in which he hit .303 with 45 doubles, 23 homers and 87 RBIs. The only other players with at least a .300 average, 45 doubles and 20 homers were Miguel Cabrera, Jacoby Ellsbury, Adrian Gonzalez and Robinson Cano.
Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore has been working a long-term deal with Gordon, who has spent his entire career in the Royals organization. Those negotiations are expected to resume now that the outfielder is under contract.
