Braves prepare to move on without Andruw Jones
onlyanumber
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From the Associated Press via ESPN
Updated: October 2, 2007, 6:23 PM ET
ATLANTA -- 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 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 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."
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 also 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.
Jones 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 Jones' agent, Scott Boras, last December but never seriously considered it.
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.
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."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Not surprised by this. Question is, will there be a market for Andruw Jones?
Updated: October 2, 2007, 6:23 PM ET
ATLANTA -- 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 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 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."
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 also 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.
Jones 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 Jones' agent, Scott Boras, last December but never seriously considered it.
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.
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."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Not surprised by this. Question is, will there be a market for Andruw Jones?
Next MONTH? So he's saying that if he wins, the best-case scenario is that he'll be paying for it two weeks after the auction ends?
Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
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<< <i>Boras withdrew the offer, believed to be in the $20-million-a-year range, over the summer when the Braves never responded, Schuerholz said. >>
One thing is for sure.
At that price, he will not be in a 'Stros uniform next year.
<< <i>Boras is the problem and the Braves know it, I think he is doing right by getting in front of this. That money will be much better spent elsewhere. Jones looked old and tired this year with big holes in swing, maybe a change will energize him. Brought a lot of happiness over years, good luck. >>
How is Boras the problem?
Boras is an agent whose job it is is to get his clients paid the maximum amount of money possible. He is as good if not better at his job than any other agent.
Anyone could see the cost cutting the Braves have done over the past few years would lead to Andruw playing somewhere else after this year.
Jones will get the money he wants, Boras will make sure of that.
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He will make sure the Braves do not get the "home team discount". The Braves realize that the numbers don't work. Since some owners are back to there old spending ways, maybe he will find someone, doubt it will work out if they do.
But last year he hit 41 HRs, is only 30 years old, and is still a solid center fielder. If it's true he's lost a step, then he could easily play either left or right field, much like Griffey has done.
I am sure there are several teams, flush with cash, who would pony up the money to acquire a 30 year old outfielder a year removed from 41-51 HR seasons.
http://sportsfansnews.com/author/andy-fischer/
im glad the braves decided not to pay him a large contract. i like jones and he was always fun to watch....but i never got the feeling he grew into the MVP he was projected to be back in 1999. he did carry a lot of the offensive load when chipper was injured the last few years...but, he never became that .300-.400-100-40-120 guy i and many braves fans thought he would be. I think focusing on starting pitching and resigning the much younger and offensively better texeira would be smart.
These teams are making money by the truckloads.
So don't go blaming the players for trying to squeeze some juice out of these plump as fudge teams.
<< <i>Name one MLB franchise that has filed for bankruptcy recently...right none.
These teams are making money by the truckloads.
So don't go blaming the players for trying to squeeze some juice out of these plump as fudge teams. >>
who's blaming jones for trying to get paid?
http://sportsfansnews.com/author/andy-fischer/