The Ginger Kid Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Link End of an era: Braves cut ties with center fielder Andruw Jones By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP Sports Writer October 2, 2007 The Atlanta Braves are cutting ties with Andruw Jones, saying they can't afford to keep the perennial Gold Glove center fielder who's spent his entire career with the organization. General manager John Schuerholz announced the decision Tuesday, shortly after breaking the news to Jones during a one-on-one meeting at Turner Field. While hoping to stay in Atlanta, Jones wasn't caught off-guard by the team's stance. He made $13.5 million this season and was looking for a hefty raise despite slumping badly. "I'm fine with it," Jones told The Associated Press when reached on his cell phone. "I'm appreciative of the chance they gave me to play for Atlanta all these years. I understand the decision they have to make. That's just the way it is. It's a business." Indeed, the move was not unexpected as the 30-year-old Jones batted only .222 in the final season of his $75 million contract. He's eligible to file for free agency after the World Series. "It just doesn't work for us," Schuerholz said. "It doesn't demean or diminish everything he's done, and I thank him for all his contributions. We all will have fond memories of him." The Braves plan to use the money they'll save on Jones to bolster their starting rotation -- a glaring weakness beyond John Smoltz and Tim Hudson -- and to sign first baseman Mark Teixeira, who made $9 million this year and is eligible for arbitration. Still, it was the end of an era in Atlanta. Jones first joined the Braves as a 19-year-old, hitting two homers in his first World Series game at Yankee Stadium in 1996. He has been one of the game's greatest defensive outfielders, winning nine straight Gold Gloves with his diving catches and over-the-wall grabs in center. Jones would have preferred to stay with the Braves, but the team had no serious talks with his agent, Scott Boras. "I thought there would be some negotiation or something," Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur told the AP. "I guess that's what's so weird, that it happened so quick. It's obviously sad when you lose a teammate and good friend. Jones was one of the game's top sluggers in 2005-06, combining for 92 homers and 257 RBIs, but his production tailed off dramatically this season. He fell to his worst average since becoming a full-time starter in 1997, with 26 homers and 94 RBIs. Schuerholz said the team got an offer from Boras last December but quickly realized it was far more than anything they would consider. Boras withdrew the offer, believed to be in the $20-million-a-year range, over the summer when the Braves never responded, Schuerholz said. "What that did was to signal what we could fully expect," the GM said. Asked how much Boras was asking for, Schuerholz held his right hand over his head. "I can't reach that high," he quipped. "It was so far removed from what we could even consider doing," Schuerholz added. Jones is only the latest longtime Braves player to cut ties with Atlanta, following Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Javy Lopez. Once one of baseball's highest-spending teams under Ted Turner, the Braves cut their budget in recent years and went through a change in corporate owners. "We have to use our assets in the most effective way to put the best 25 people on the field," Schuerholz said. Jones spent much of the year preparing to play elsewhere in 2008 "I've been telling people this for a long time," he said. "It's a business. You can't take it to heart. I just have to move on and start with a new team." When it comes to contract matters, Schuerholz normally deals only with a player's agent. But he decided to call in Jones for a face-to-face meeting. "It was appropriate for Andruw," Schuerholz said. "He deserved that." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 That .222 BA, .311 OBP, and .724 OPS this year was pretty shocking. What a huge drop off in production from his previous couple years. So where does he go? Boston, NY, Texas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(RME JICO @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 08:19 AM) That .222 BA, .311 OBP, and .724 OPS this year was pretty shocking. What a huge drop off in production from his previous couple years. So where does he go? Boston, NY, Texas? He definitely seems like a Texas type of move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 the first thing Andruw needs to address is his Bartolo Colon-like growing waist. If he can avoid the buffet line over the winter, he can probably get back to where he was offensively, or at least close to it. Defensively, he isnt going to regain that step he used to have, father time took that away. But he can still be a good CF, just not elite like he once was Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swingandalongonetoleft Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 the first thing he needs to address is where did his steroids go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguy79 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 he wasn't named the most over-rated baseball player for nothing... KW please stay far...far away... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(chiguy79 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 08:47 AM) he wasn't named the most over-rated baseball player for nothing... KW please stay far...far away... If he has to accept one of those classic "Boras 1 year make up for a bad year" deals, a-la what Millwood, Weaver kept having to do, I would actually be open to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 10:56 AM) If he has to accept one of those classic "Boras 1 year make up for a bad year" deals, a-la what Millwood, Weaver kept having to do, I would actually be open to that. He wont have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 08:58 AM) He wont have to. It might well depend on how high he's talking. If he thinks he's a $20 million a year player, I think any GM out there would be stupid to risk that on him after a .222 season. If he comes back and puts up another 50 spot in a contract year though, he'd probably get that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Andruw Jones. pfffft. Who cares? Let's stick to the real headliner free agents... I mean, Ross Gload is available, for crying out loud! Get it done KW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 11:01 AM) Andruw Jones. pfffft. Who cares? Let's stick to the real headliner free agents... I mean, Ross Gload is available, for crying out loud! Get it done KW! Gload+Graffanino=championship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 11:01 AM) Andruw Jones. pfffft. Who cares? Let's stick to the real headliner free agents... I mean, Ross Gload is available, for crying out loud! Get it done KW! No he isn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 11:05 AM) No he isn't. Really? This is his contract: Ross Gload 1b 1 year/$0.625M (2007) acquired in trade 12/06 re-signed 11/06 (avoided arbitration) 1 year/$0.35M (2006), re-signed 2/06 1 year/$0.335M (2005), re-signed 2/05 1 year/$0.302M (2004), re-signed ¾ ML service: 3.055 Is he still arb-eligible or something? Anyway, no matter, I was mostly just kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 He only has 4 years of service time so he has 2 arbitration eligible years remaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 11:58 AM) He only has 4 years of service time so he has 2 arbitration eligible years remaining. OK, gotcha. We'll see if KC offers it. Back to A Jones... no thanks, even for 17 or 18 per over 5. Not with the salary situation the Sox are already in, and with Jones' career trend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 10:00 AM) OK, gotcha. We'll see if KC offers it. Back to A Jones... no thanks, even for 17 or 18 per over 5. Not with the salary situation the Sox are already in, and with Jones' career trend. What if it was $13-$15 for one (i.e. if no one offered the $18+/6 that Boras will probably demand) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 12:32 PM) What if it was $13-$15 for one (i.e. if no one offered the $18+/6 that Boras will probably demand) Well... that might be worth a gamble. How is he defensively? I really don't know, at this point in his career. I don't mean 5 years ago, I mean now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 12:35 PM) How is he defensively? I really don't know, at this point in his career. I don't mean 5 years ago, I mean now. Top 3-5 in baseball and the best available in free agency IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 12:37 PM) Top 3-5 in baseball IMO. Really? Numbers don't look quite that good, but for defense, numbers aren't the whole picture. If he really is a fairly high end defensive CF, with his potential on offense, I think 13-15/per for a year or even a few years would definitely be worth the gamble. Any baggage on Jones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(Kalapse @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 10:37 AM) Top 3-5 in baseball and the best available in free agency IMO. A few years ago I would have agreed, but I think this is one case where the number simply aren't lying. The standard Defensive numbers for Jones are decidedly middle-of-the-pack, and I think defensively that's where he is these days. He has just lost an awful lot of steps, and if those steps didn't reappear in a contract season, they're not going to reappear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 12:53 PM) A few years ago I would have agreed, but I think this is one case where the number simply aren't lying. The standard Defensive numbers for Jones are decidedly middle-of-the-pack, and I think defensively that's where he is these days. He has just lost an awful lot of steps, and if those steps didn't reappear in a contract season, they're not going to reappear. Yeah for 7 years at 20 million getting average defense isn't great. And whoh knows what type of hitting he'd bring. He's defense is only going to get worse by the time he's 37 also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 The big problem I have with signing Jones to a big deal is that he already has had people questioning his heart and dedication before. If you give this guy the final huge contract of his career, will he continue to play hard? Somehow I doubt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosMediasBlancas Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I thought he'd been with us at least 6 times in the last 4 seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 10:35 AM) Well... that might be worth a gamble. How is he defensively? I really don't know, at this point in his career. I don't mean 5 years ago, I mean now. I actually think teams jump on Hunter/Rowand before Jones goes and at that point Jones contract may actually fall into the 13-15M range and if you got him to a 5 year deal at the low end of that it could turn into a steal. He's a stellar power hitter who will post an average OBP while driving in runs and hitting HR's (his numbers should be good in the cell) and playing above average defense in CF (which is a tough position to find production from). I truly think adding Jones (even if it meant the club had to move Konerko or someone else) would be a stellar move (assuming he's healthy). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowand44 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Oct 3, 2007 -> 06:07 PM) I actually think teams jump on Hunter/Rowand before Jones goes and at that point Jones contract may actually fall into the 13-15M range and if you got him to a 5 year deal at the low end of that it could turn into a steal. He's a stellar power hitter who will post an average OBP while driving in runs and hitting HR's (his numbers should be good in the cell) and playing above average defense in CF (which is a tough position to find production from). I truly think adding Jones (even if it meant the club had to move Konerko or someone else) would be a stellar move (assuming he's healthy). It was only one series but I just can't shake the memory of how much trouble Andruw had playing center in USCF in 03 I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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