The Royals and Alex Gordon are expected to avoid arbitration by agreeing to a contract. The Kansas City Star reports that Gordon and the Royals "appear close to an agreement ... on a one-year contract that would eliminate the need for a Feb. 16 arbitration hearing." The soon-to-be 28-year-old is aiming to make $5.45 million this season while the Royals said they'd like to pay him $4.15 million.