Jan. 06--Alex Gordon will return to the Royals on a four-year, $72 million contract, according to MLB.com, leaving the White Sox with one fewer option in the search for a new outfielder.
The Sox had been linked to Gordon in various reports, but Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday the Sox did not want to give Gordon a four-year deal.
Several big-name free agents are still available to fill outfield holes, including Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton, but it remains to be seen whether the Sox will make an offer hefty enough to lure them to the South Side.
Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in mid-December that he hoped to add more to his roster, but the club -- and the market in general -- has been quiet. Outfield is a natural place to upgrade after right fielder Avisail Garcia struggled in his first full major-league season and the Sox sacrificed outfielder Trayce Thompson as part of the Todd Frazier trade.
The Sox could also stand to add a shortstop or right-handed starting pitcher, though Hahn has said they would be comfortable going into 2016 with what they have in place in those spots, if necessary.
Gordon has played all nine of his major-league seasons with the Royals, winning four Gold Gloves and helping the team win its first World Series since 1985 last season.
