Alex Gordon tops chart of largest Royals contracts

Alex Gordon’s four-year, $72 million contract to remain with the Royals is the largest in franchise history in terms of overall and average yearly value.

Largest Royals contracts for a single season or by average yearly salary

1. OF Alex Gordon, $18M (2016-19 avg.)*

2. (tie) OF Alex Gordon, $14M (2015)

2. (tie) SP Ian Kennedy, $14M (2016-20 avg.)**

4. SP James Shields, $13.5M (2014)

5. SP Ervin Santana, $13M (2013)

6. SP Gil Meche, $12.4M (2010)

7. OF Jose Guillen, $12M (2008-10 avg.)

8. SP Gil Meche, $11.4M (2008, 2009)

9. SP James Shields, $11.25M (2013)

10. 1B/DH Mike Sweeney, $11M (2003-07 avg.)

*Gordon will make $16 million in 2017, $20 million in 2018 and $20 million again in $2019. His contract also contains a $4 million buyout clause for a $23 million mutual option in 2020.

**Kennedy's agreement with Royals is not official. He reportedly can opt out of contract after 2017.

Largest Royals contracts by total value

1. OF Alex Gordon, $72M/four years (2016-19)

2. SP Ian Kennedy, $70M/five years (2016-20)

3. (tie) 1B/DH Mike Sweeney, $55M/five years (2003-07)

3. (tie) SP Gil Meche, $55M/five years (2007-10*)

*walked away from final year of contract

Sources: Kansas City Star reports, Cot’s Baseball Contracts

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 11:39 AM.