Alex Gordon agrees to four-year, $72 million deal with Royals

Free-agent leftfielder Alex Gordon is returning to the Kansas City Royals on a four-year, $72 million deal.

Free-agent leftfielder Alex Gordon has agreed to a four-year contract with the Kansas City Royals with a mutual option for 2020, the team announced on Wednesday. According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the deal is worth $72 million.

Gordon, 31, has been with the Royals since they selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2005 draft. In nine years in Kansas City, he has hit .271, been selected to three All-Star teams and won four Gold Gloves.

During the 2015 postseason, Gordon helped the Royals win their first World Series title since 1985 by hitting .241 with six RBIs and two home runs, including a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the World Series.

• MORE MLB: Gordon gives Royals home town discount with new contract

ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that now that Gordon is off the market, other major league outfielders will be expected to sign with other teams in the near future.