We're just over a week away from the 2015 MLB Winter Meetings, which means we're getting into the thick of the Hot Stove League's rumors cycle. With that being said, it's time to get you up to date with what the 2015 World Series champs are up to with our latest Kansas City Royals Rumors Roundup.
Orioles Showing Interest In Alex Gordon
Alex Gordon's reported contract demands have piqued the interest of the Baltimore Orioles, who'd prefer signing a veteran outfield bat like Gordon on a three-year deal rather than ponying up for a longer (and larger) contract for names like Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes.
The word out of Kansas City is that the Royals remain cautious Gordon's future, evaluating a host of other options instead of banking on the 31-year-old left fielder accepting a home-field discount.
Ben Zobrist Update
There were said to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 teams in the mix for free agent utility man Ben Zobrist just a few days ago. That includes Kansas City thanks to Zobrist's affinity for the team and the area, along with his stated desire to return.
However, it appears three teams have taken themselves out of the chase for the veteran middle infielder/outfielder -- the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros.
Kansas City's main competition for Zobrist right now? The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, per multiple media reports.
Scott Kazmir A Free Agent Option?
"The Royals managed to win the Series without a frontline, dominant rotation. Instead, they relied upon their lights-out bullpen and timely hitting…as well as some clutch pitching performances from otherwise unexpected sources (more on that later). Lefty Scott Kazmir, traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Houston Astros halfway through the final year of the two-year deal he signed with Oakland prior to 2014, would be an alluring option for the Royals."
Kazmir's history of triceps and shoulder issues will likely drive his overall price tag down on the free market, which would give the mid-market Royals a fantastic shot at making noise in negotiations. The 31-year-old lefty's 3.10 ERA between the A's and Astros last year, along with his propensity to dominate for month-long stretches like a bona fide #1 ace, will likely place him atop GM Dayton Moore's shortlist as we head towards the Winter Meetings.
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