MLB: Gordon expects to battle for his job

Though the specter of Mark Teahen is no longer lurking in the shadows behind Alex Gordon, the Kansas City Royals third baseman said he’s not necessarily resting any easier this offseason.

“It’s the major leagues, and no matter what you’re always going to have competition,” Gordon, the former Nebraska star, said. “If you’re worried about that, you shouldn’t be out there. You’ve got to fight for your job every year.”

Gordon spent Monday with utility player Willie Bloomquist and former Royals great Willie Wilson at the Royals’ annual caravan stop in Omaha. A crowd of 625 passed through the Holiday Inn convention center for a kid-friendly event that also included an autograph session of more than an hour.

Teahen was the Royals’ third baseman before Gordon arrived in the major leagues, and he moved to left field to make room for Gordon in 2007 and continued shifting around the diamond to make room for other players, first to right field in 2008 and then to second base at the start of 2009.

But then Gordon injured his hip and missed three months of the season, and Teahen moved back to third in his absence. Gordon rehabbed in the minors, then was optioned to Class AAA Omaha for a short time after struggling in the majors.

But any possible competition between Gordon and Teahen this season was erased when the Royals traded Teahen to the Chicago White Sox in October.

The trade was one of several offseason head scratchers from the Royals, who picked up second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman-outfielder Josh Fields in the deal. That move was only confusing in that the Royals’ second-best offensive player last season was second baseman Alberto Callaspo, perhaps signaling a move to designated hitter for Callaspo.

Critics have panned many of the Royals’ other moves, including signing 35-year-old catcher Jason Kendall and outfielder Scott Podsednik, who turns 34 before opening day. Kendall was a three-time All-Star a decade ago but is coming off three straight poor offensive seasons. Podsednik bounced back with a quality 2009 season after two straight poor ones.

A lineup that would include Podsednik, Getz, Kendall and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt would be among baseball most light-hitting groups — those four combined for 17 homers last season, helped by a career-high seven from Podsednik. Add Bloomquist (a career-high four homers last season) to that lineup a few days a week, as he is expected to be, and the dearth of power is obvious.

“I think they’re trying to go more with a speed lineup, one that can steal bases, create havoc, put pressure on the defense,” Bloomquist said. “It’s a little like the Anaheim Angels — granted they’ve got some guys who can hit the ball out of the ballpark, but they put a lot of pressure on the defense because of their aggressive baserunning and all the little things they do.”

Podsednik stole 30 bases last season (tied for 15th in the majors), Bloomquist and Getz each had 25. Kendall used to run extremely well, particularly for a catcher, and still steals a handful of bases.

But what that all means is the Royals could use that much-anticipated breakthrough season from Gordon, who will turn 26 in spring training.

The Royals got a breakthrough year from a 23-year-old Billy Butler last season, when he hit .301 with 51 doubles, 21 homers and 93 RBIs. They got it, too, from the 27-year-old Callaspo, who had 41 doubles but just 11 homers. Jose Guillen has struggled to stay healthy. David DeJesus has developed into a 10- to 15-homer player.

Enter Gordon, who had 15 homers as a rookie in 2007 and 16 in 2008, when his statistics were eerily similar to Teahen’s. Gordon hit six homers in just 189 plate appearances in his injury-shortened 2009. In his typical, team-first way, Gordon — a career .250 hitter — deflected talking about personal goals.

“It’s not about me having a great year,” said Gordon, who said he is once again 100 percent healthy. “It’s about the team going out and doing well.”

The Royals certainly have a chance to do well every fifth day with Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, coming off a 16-8 year with a 2.16 ERA, on the mound. If Gil Meche returns to form following injuries, the Royals have a solid No. 2 starter. After that the Royals are still waiting for Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, Brian Bannister and possibly Robinson Tejeda to develop into consistent major league starters.

The nights they don’t pitch well are when the Royals could use a little extra offensive jolt. The Royals struggled to a 65-97 record last season, despite a terrific 18-11 start that had them in first place in the American League Central.

“We’re feeling pretty good,” Gordon said. “We’ve forgotten about last year and moved on. Every season is a new season, and we’re feeling pretty positive.”

The Royals picked up another potentially big bat in the Teahen trade in Fields, the former Oklahoma State quarterback.

Fields had, by most statistical measures, a rookie season of 2007 that was superior to Gordon’s by hitting .244 with 23 homers and 67 RBIs in 418 plate appearances. Gordon hit .247 with 15 homers and 60 RBIs in 600 plate appearances. Fields had an on-base plus slugging percentage plus rating of 101 (league average is 100), while Gordon’s was 90.

However, Fields has struggled mightily the past two seasons, even in the minors. He’s hit .214 in 303 big league plate appearances the past two seasons.

“Fields is a great player,” Gordon said. “There’s going to be competition.”

A wild card is Mike Aviles, who was arguably the Royals’ best offensive player in 2008 but missed most of 2009 with an arm injury. Once the starting shortstop, he’ll likely have to move because of Betancourt’s salary and the cost (pitching prospect Dan Cortes) it took to get him. Aviles played extensively at third and second in the minors.

“A lot of people have forgotten about Mike Aviles,” Gordon said.

Like Gordon said, it’s the big leagues. There’s always competition.

Contact the writer:

444-1027, rob.white@owh.com

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