At this point, even though he’s now under control through 2013, I don’t think there’s any way Gordon is going to be a Royal one day longer than he has to, at least as long as the current brain trust (boy, I’m using that loosely) is in charge. But there’s next to no value in Gordon right now; trading him solely based on his “potential” is selling too low, as whatever we’d get back would simply not be worth even the possibility of success from Gordon.

I do believe, however, that the reason for wanting Gordon to emerge now are different. Should Gordon reestablish next year and get people excited about his future again, I think the Royals should start looking for buyers. Gordon with the potential of playing up to his ceiling would seemingly merit at least three very good prospects (a top 5, a top 10, and a serviceable arm) if not more. Come next offseason or 2011 deadline, a productive Gordon’s a very attractive acquisition due to the now one more year of team control.

There’s little reason to believe the bridge is not burnt to the ground between the Royals and Gordon, so thinking about a good Gordon long term should stop. But, should Gordon (finally) emerge, getting that extra year of control winds up being a pretty shrewd move. If Gordon never emerges, then it really didn’t matter anyhow.

Gordon needs to pull a Larry Johnson. Alex, you wear diapers! Let’s go out and rush for 2K yards or better yet, hit .333 and 33 HRs with 133 RBI.