Moore: 'Reckless' to comment on negotiations

KANSAS CITY -- Royals general manager Dayton Moore has never been one to negotiate through the media, and he's not about to start now.

Regarding rumors that the Royals have a four-year offer to free-agent outfielder Alex Gordon -- ESPN reported it was in the $12 million-$13 million range per year -- and that the Royals have opened talks with representatives for Salvador Perez on a contract extension, Moore said there was no value in confirming or denying the reports.

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"The minute you start commenting on one of them," Moore said by phone, "and the next time you don't comment at all, people start saying, 'Oh, it must be true then.' It doesn't make any sense for us. I will say that I haven't talked to anyone [in the media] about our specific negotiations."

Moore did allow that "this time of year, we have offers for players. All teams do."

But Moore was adamant about not commenting on any specific player, including Gordon.

"We have a tremendous amount of respect for Alex Gordon and what he has done here," Moore said. "He has been a terrific player. He's played on a championship team. We all appreciate the history of Alex Gordon in Kansas City.

"But it would be reckless and inappropriate to comment on any negotiation. We're just not going to do that."

As for CBS Sports reports of the Royals engaging in extension talks with Perez's people, Moore said, "It's always our desire to keep talented players here and make our club the best it can possibly be. It's what we have always done. But again, we're not getting into specifics."

Moore said early on in free agency that the Royals would be coveting another starting pitcher and a corner outfielder either through trade or free agency. The Royals have been linked to left-hander Scott Kazmir recently.

Moore would like to open the season with at least seven or eight viable starters with the theory that starting pitchers inevitably break down during the season, making depth essential.

"I will say that we're very much in the market still for another starting pitcher and a corner outfielder," he said again. "We feel we have quality depth in the outfield, but we have a desire for an experienced corner outfielder. And we would like another quality starting pitcher.

"I have said in the past that our goal is for our starters to pitch more innings this year."

The Royals were last in the American League in innings by starters in 2015 at 912 2/3.

"We know the wear and tear and strain that puts on your bullpen," Moore said. "We have to get more innings out of our starters."