Alex Gordon declines Royals’ one-year qualifying offer, remains free agent
Alex Gordon, as expected, declined the Royals’ $15.8 million qualifying offer for the 2016 season Friday and will remain a free agent.
Gordon had until 4 p.m. Friday to decide on taking the one-year offer, which the Royals extended after he declined his $14 million player option for 2016 and became a free agent. By extending a qualifying offer, the Royals will receive a compensatory draft pick between the first and second round if Gordon signs with another team.
Houston outfielder Colby Rasmus, Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brett Anderson became the first three players to accept qualifying offers rather than remain free agents. They, along with Gordon and Toronto pitcher Marco Estrada, who agreed to a $26 million, two-year contract shortly before the deadline, were among 20 players who were given qualifying offers last week.
None of the 34 qualifying offers was accepted in the first three years of baseball’s current collective bargaining agreement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 7:13 PM with the headline "Alex Gordon declines Royals’ one-year qualifying offer, remains free agent."