Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals Star Outfielder, Resigns in Record Deal

The Kansas City Royals, reigning World Series Champions, have parted ways with a few key players this offseason--most notably, Ben Zobrist and Johnny Cueto--but have officially been able to resign Gold Glove outfielder, Alex Gordon. The All-Star outfielder signed a $72 million, 4-year deal Wednesday, keeping him with the team that drafted him with the second overall pick in 2005.

The agreement reacged makes the contract the richest in Royals history, dwarfing the previous record of $55 million over 5-years, held by both Gil Meche and Mike Sweeney, according to CBS Sports. And while Gordon's contract is one that will pay handsomely, it is also structured in a way that will allow the Royals to pursue other offseason acquisitions.

Gordon's first year of the 4-year $72 million deal is the lower than the rest, giving the Royals more money to throw at desired players. With the issues surrounding the Royals starting rotation, the money could go a long way to signing another quality pitcher.

On the outside, it does appear as though Gordon and the Royals were always going to be best suited for each other. The Royals aren't the Royals without Gordon, and Gordon isn't, well, Gordon without the Royals. Even so, it wasn't a deal that was guaranteed just because of who Gordon is, and what he's meant to the city and organization.

"We don't want to get caught up in, 'A player has earned this or earned that.' It doesn't matter if you've been here four days or 40 years, you have to produce each and every day," general manager Dayton Moore said after the World Series, when asked Gordon's contract, and signing him long term, via wibw.com. "You're going to be compensated for what you're going to do, not what you've done."

Which is a philosophy that the Royals will--apparently--continue to live by. And who can blame them, it's worked pretty well the past couple of years.