Royals' Alex Gordon unsure if he'll pick up 2016 option

Alex Gordon may not be in a Kansas City Royals uniform next season.

The outfielder spoke Saturday about his future plans, and whether he'll pick up his 2016 player option on his contract, which would pay him $13.25 million.

"I want to stay here," Gordon told Andy McCullough from The Kansas City Star. "Absolutely. It's close to home. Kansas City almost feels like my hometown. We love the city. We love everybody in this organization. And obviously it's in a good place right now. It's come a long way. And I want to be a part of the success that I think we're still going to have."

Gordon said he intended to pick up the option during an interview last summer, but now he isn't so sure about committing long term to the organization.

"That's a question that honestly doesn't need to be answered right now," Gordon added. "Because I don't know the answer right now. I don't know how this year is going to go, or how it's going to look at the end of the year. Honestly, I don't know."

The budget-conscious Royals have already committed to $66.8 million in payroll for 2016, and an unnamed rival official worries about the team's ability to retain the two-time All-Star.

"If he has a great year, you can't keep him," the official said. "If he has a bad year, he's untradeable at the deadline, you get nothing for him, and you're stuck with that expensive option for next season."

The outfielder, who hit .266 with 19 home runs and 74 RBIs last season, is still recovering from wrist surgery, but hopes to be ready by Opening Day.