Despite reports that they might part ways, the Kansas City Royals re-signed Alex Gordon to a four-year, $72 million deal this week.

"I just want to say my family and I are very happy to be back in Kansas City," Gordon said Thursday. "We were very appreciative of the other teams that showed interest but at the end of the day, my heart will be, and always has been, in Kansas City.

"I'm excited to come back and compete for another World Series title. One of the things that made me want to come back is the type of organization that we have here. I feel really confident going into 2016.

"My desire was probably a 10 to come back here. Coming back here and being in the locker room put a smile on my face because I didn't know if that was going to happen."

Gordon's contract is the richest the franchise history.