The move was criticized by some as the Royals’ way of delaying Gordon’s timetable to become a free agent, but Kansas City General Manager Dayton Moore dismissed that notion. "That’s so much bunk," he said in a telephone interview. "I don’t even think like that." Moore said the Royals needed to add a pitcher to the roster, which meant sending either Gordon or center fielder Mitch Maier to Omaha. Maier is batting .247 in 85 games while Gordon was batting .198 in 29 games. "It wouldn’t have been fair to Mitch to send him down," Moore said. "He’s outplaying Alex right now, so my only thought was to try and get Alex back on track."