You’d look good in red: Scouting free agents in the LCS

Alex Gordon, LF

Alex Gordon is one guy who would make me feel just fine about Jason Heyward skipping town. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Gordon has a $12.5MM player option but looks intent on testing the waters. Good. He should, because oh what a player. It almost seems quaint now that Gordon was once an uber prospect at third base who the Royals pushed too quickly through the system until he struggled mightily in the bigs.

Remember? He was supposed to be the Royals’ savior when he came up in 2007, but hit just .247. Kansas City moved him to the outfield, almost in desperation. And now, he’s a four-time Gold Glover, a perennial All-Star and a lynchpin in that Royals order. Entering this year, he was one of only five players to produce a WARP of four or better for four straight years.

A groin injury this year ended that run, but it only made the Royals realize how important he was to them. Gordon still finished the season a 2.9 WARP player. Imagine what he could do in St. Louis. It kind of makes you shiver, right?

Next: Five takeaways following the Cardinals' early postseason exit