Alex Gordon Returns to Royals; Orioles Wait Continues

Oct 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) in game two of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports /

What are the implications for the Baltimore Orioles of the Alex Gordon deal?

Alex Gordon agreed to what has been reported as a four year, 72 million dollar deal with the World Champion Kansas City Royals on Wednesday morning.

Gordon took less money to stay with a franchise that is coming off a World Series, and also the team he has played for his entire life. Some projections had Gordon getting $20 million a year. But instead, he stayed where he is beloved.

Any of that sound like something many Oriole fans are clamoring for? Many Oriole fans think that Chris Davis should do the same thing, and take less money to stay with his previous team, a team that made him a star and stuck by him when he was suspended for failing to obtain a TUE exemption.

However, so far, Davis doesn’t appear willing to give the Birds of Baltimore a hometown discount.

But, maybe it doesn’t have to be a discount.

More from Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles’ offer of seven years, $150 million has been discussed and analyzed far too much. Is it too low? Is it too high? Why did they ‘pull’ the offer? Was Angelos calling Scott Boras’ bluff? Was Angelos just trying to show his commitment to the fans?

Now, that offering looks like the best Davis might get. Not much has changed on the Chris Davis front. The O’s remain the only apparent formal offer made. If other offers have been made, they haven’t been made public.

With Gordon off the table, and for less money, it means that the O’s alternatives to Davis may also come cheaper. That would be Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes. It also would lead one to believe that the market may be heating up and these guys might be off the table soon.

Speaking of connecting the Orioles and the Royals, the Orioles will hire former Royals OF Mark Quinn to be their new assistant hitting coach, per numerous writers. Quinn is known for being a free swinger who did not walk much. I would argue that is the opposite of what the Orioles need, but who am I to judge.

And, it would not be appropriate to end the blog without a salute to Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr., the two latest members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Griffey remains the only person to hit the ball off the warehouse, albeit during the 1993 Home Run Derby in one of the greatest HR Derby feats of all-time.

Next: Halfway to Spring Training

As a trivia question, what one-time Oriole pitcher gave up Griffey’s 600th home run? Leave a comment with the answer, and I will reply with the answer later in the week.

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