KANSAS CITY, Mo. — All-Star outfielder Alex Gordon agreed to a $72 million, four-year deal Wednesday to remain with the World Series champion Kansas City Royals, a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press.
Gordon must still pass a physical but an official announcement could come later in the day. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Royals had not announced the contract, which was first reported by MLB.com.
The agreement is the largest in franchise history, trumping $55 million deals given to Mike Sweeney and Gil Meche.
"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 shortly after the World Series, when asked about signing Gordon long-term. "You're going to be compensated for what you're going to do, not what you've done."
The second overall pick of the Royals in 2005, Gordon went through years of growing pains before finally becoming a star. He's not only developed into one of the best defensive outfielders in the game with four Gold Gloves to his resume, but also a consistent hitter and clubhouse leader.
He was a big reason why the Royals won their first World Series since 1985 last season.
Gordon declined an option for $13.75 million to test free agency, but several outfielders on the market — including Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton — may have depressed the 31-year-old's value.
MLB
Indians: Rajai Davis gets $5.25M
CLEVELAND — Rajai Davis is guaranteed $5.25 million as part of his contract with the Cleveland Indians and can earn an additional $1,225,000 in performance bonuses.
As part of the deal announced Dec. 17, Davis can made $175,000 apiece for 400 plate appearances and each additional 25 through 550.
The 35-year-old spent the past two seasons with Detroit. He hit .258 with 11 triples, eight homers and 30 RBIs in 112 games last season, playing 46 games in center field, 39 in left and 10 games in right. Davis had 18 steals, including three against the Indians on April 25.
Davis has a .269 career average since debuting with Pittsburgh in 2006. He has 322 career steals.
Dodgers: Brandon Beachy brought back
LOS ANGELES — Free-agent pitcher Brandon Beachy and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract.
The 29-year-old right-hander spent last season in the Dodgers' organization, making two big league starts after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list on July 11. He finished the season in the minors, going 1-1 with a 3.51 ERA in 11 games with Class A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Beachy was 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA in his two starts with the Dodgers.
The deal announced Wednesday is not guaranteed, and Beachy would receive a $250,000 bonus if he is on the opening-day roster.
He could earn $750,000 in performance bonuses based on games: $100,000 each for 30, 40 and 45, and $150,000 apiece for 50, 55 and 60. He also could make $2.75 million based on starts: $250,000, $500,000 each for 15 and 20, and $750,000 apiece for 25 and 30 starts.
Beachy is 14-12 with a 3.36 ERA in 48 major league starts over five seasons with the Braves and Dodgers, having missed long stretches after Tommy John surgeries in June 2012 and March 2014.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated left-hander Tyler Olson for assignment. He was acquired from the Mariners on Dec. 18 after going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 11 relief appearances with Seattle last season.