SURPRISE, Ariz. — Alex Gordon went from a bust to busting the bank.
Gordon, who had a breakout 2011 season after a mediocre first four years in the majors, agreed to a $37.5 million, four-year deal that includes a player option for 2016 to remain with the Kansas City Royals.
The team had been working on a long-term deal with Gordon for several months. It was finally announced Friday, one week before the start of the regular season.
Gordon will make $6 million this season, $9 million next season, $10 million in 2014 and $12.5 million in 2015. The player option is also for $12.5 million.
“This is where I wanted to be,” Gordon said. “I’m thrilled it’s done and over with. I can look to the future now. I’m liking what I see. Our goal was to get it done by the beginning of the year, before the season started. It’s a very exciting day for me.
“Ever since Dayton (Moore, general manager) came into this organization, you kind of saw something change, and he turned this organization around. We’ve got a great clubhouse right now. I’m excited to be part of it. I couldn’t be happier to be here for five more years.”
Gordon hit .303 with 23 homers, 45 doubles and 87 RBIs. He also won his first Gold Glove, setting a franchise record with 20 outfield assists. The Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera, the Yankees’ Robinson Cano, and the Red Sox’s Jacoby Ellsbury and Adrian Gonzalez were the only others to hit. 300 with 45 doubles and 20 homers last season.
Gordon, 27, was the second player picked in the 2005 draft and after one minor league season was the Royals starting third baseman in 2007. Curt Schilling struck him out with the bases loaded in his first big league at-bat, but he was projected to be a superstar, maybe the next George Brett.
Giants release Fontenot,
place Sanchez on DL
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco Giants have released infielder Mike Fontenot and placed second baseman Freddy Sanchez on the 15-day disabled list along with pitchers Ryan Vogelsong, Eric Surkamp and Dan Runzler.
San Francisco’s moves Friday for Sanchez, Surkamp and Runzler are retroactive to Monday, while Vogelsong’s move is retroactive to Tuesday.
Vogelsong, who emerged as an unlikely All-Star last season when he joined the rotation to fill in for injured lefty Barry Zito, strained his back lifting weights last month before arriving to spring training.
Sanchez had hoped to be ready for opening day after undergoing labrum surgery on his right shoulder last summer and missing the rest of the 2011 season.
The lefty Surkamp has a strained flexor tendon in his pitching elbow, while Runzler has a strained lat muscle.
Livan Hernandez joins Braves after Astros cut him
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Livan Hernandez agreed Friday to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, a short time after he was released from a minor league deal with the Houston Astros.
After being released at noon, Hernandez arrived at the Braves’ spring training complex, about 15 miles away.
Hernandez is the active leader in starts (474) and innings (3,121 2-3). He was the opening-day starter for Washington last season and went 8-13 with a 4.47 ERA in 29 starts.
Hernandez is a two-time All Star and helped Florida win the 1997 World Series. He also spent time with San Francisco, Montreal, Arizona, Minnesota, Colorado and the New York Mets before re-signing with the Expos/Nationals in 2009.
Hernandez has a career record of 174-176 with a 4.39 ERA. He can earn an a maximum of $750,000 in performance bonuses. He would get $125,000 each for 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 and 160 innings, and $50,000 each for 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 games.
Isringhausen added
to Angels’ big league roster
TEMPE, Ariz. — Jason Isringhausen has made the Los Angeles Angels’ roster and is set for his 16th major league season.
The Angels selected the contract of the 39-year-old reliever from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday and optioned outfielder Mike Trout to the minor league team.
Isringhausen gets a $650,000, one-year contract and the chance to earn $200,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 25, 35, 45 and 55 games.
“Right now there’s no doubt that there’s a role for him in the major leagues and with our staff,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s an important addition to our bullpen.”
Isringhausen was 3-3 with a 4.05 ERA and seven saves in 53 games with the New York Mets last year. He signed with the Angels, hoping to play for a contender.
Isringhausen said he would have retired had the Angels not signed him.
Isringhausen retired the side in order in one inning Thursday against Kansas City. He has a 6.35 ERA in 5 2-3 spring training innings.
Trout’s spring training was set back because of flu that caused him to drop nearly 15 pounds.
He made the jump from Double-A Arkansas last season to the Angels and hit .220 in 40 games.
Fla. prosecutor drops
Manny Ramirez battery charge
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Florida prosecutor has dismissed a misdemeanor domestic battery charge against baseball star Manny Ramirez because his wife won’t cooperate in the investigation.
A spokesman for Broward County State Attorney Michael Satz said Friday the office was unable to serve a subpoena on Ramirez’s wife, who was the alleged victim. Ramirez had pleaded not guilty to slapping his wife, Juliana Ramirez, in the Sept. 12 incident, in which she said her head struck a bed headboard.
The 2004 World Series MVP with the Boston Red Sox is at spring training with the Oakland Athletics. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox.
Ramirez must sit out the first 50 games this season because of a violation of MLB drug policy.
Moyer earns spot
in Rockies rotation
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Jamie Moyer, at 49 years old, has made the Colorado Rockies starting rotation.
Rockies manager Jim Tracy announced Friday that Moyer would be one of his five starters to begin the season.
Moyer, who is entering his 25th major-league season, will start the Rockies’ second game of the season April 7 against the Houston Astros.
The left-hander will follow right-hander Jeremy Guthrie in the rotation and precede right-handers Juan Nicasio and Jhoulys Chacin.
With an off day on April 10, the Rockies will open the season with a four-man rotation. Left-hander Drew Pomeranz will join the rotation and make his first start April 15.
Pomeranz was optioned to Triple-A on Friday.
Moyer missed the 2011 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. By returning to the majors, he will be the active leader in victories (267), innings (4,020) and starts (628). In his last season, he went 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010.