Why no talk about Andruw Jones?

by airweino on Nov 13, 2007 1:02 AM CST

I understand the talk about Fukudome for the RF hole - that seems like a no brainer and something that would greatly benefit the lineup.

But I am curious why there is no talk about using Pie as trade bait (Bedard? Santana?) and going after Jones for CF...I know his average was down but his power numbers were decent enough given he was on the Braves. Plus he is only 30 and only a year removed from a back-to-back 40 HR seasons.

I would feel a lot better about this lineup especially if Pie could be the centerpiece of a deal for another SP:

Soriano
Fukudome
Lee
Ramirez
Jones
DeRosa
Soto
Theriot

Sorry if this is redundant, but I could not find much talk about Andruw Jones anywhere.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Jones

The reason there hasn't been a whole lot of Andruw Jones talk is. He was pretty bad last year, and wants probably 16-17m per year for probably at least 3-5 years.

by cubsfan25 on Nov 13, 2007 1:05 AM CST reply actions

Right.

What Jones is probably going to have to settle for is a one-year deal somewhere, maybe with option years, to try to prove that last year was a fluke, then try to hit the free-agent market again a year from now.

I'd rather have Fukudome.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Nov 13, 2007 3:56 AM CST up reply actions

You really think so?

Do you seriously think that he's only going to get a one year deal? Come on, he's Andruw Jones. He's perceived to be one of the best players in the game. I find your notion to be absurd. He'll get a fat contract, there's no doubt in my mind about it.

by kanderber on Nov 13, 2007 7:20 AM CST up reply actions

no way man

sure maybe he could get a 4 year 60 mil deal somewhere, but he wants to CASH IN, and he could get 5 years 100 million if his perceived "gold glove" defense stays steady, and if he can get the average up to .275 and knock 40 bombs.

boras does this all the time, jeff weaver was the last case, you get the short deal so you can have your walk year all over again, its just a do-over so you can fleece someone the next year.

Kevin Hart Watch: IP: 11 K: 13 ERA: 0.82 WHIP: 1.00 K/BB: 3.25 a productive farm system is a wonderful thing.

by kylejo on Nov 13, 2007 8:22 AM CST up reply actions

I highly doubt it...

someone will offer him a very expensive multi-year deal.

His average was atrocious last year, but most everything else was in line with his career norms. Given that he's only 30, I would expect him to bounce back, and I'm sure there'll be plenty of teams willing to take pay for that possibility.

I don't, however, think he's the most cost-effective acquisition for the Cubs.

by SouthernCub on Nov 13, 2007 7:22 AM CST up reply actions

1 or multi year

I wouldn't be surprised either way. At this point, if he signs a multi year deal it will certainly be for much less than what he could get coming off a big year.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him sign a 1 year deal, try to recoop some value, and sign in a year that isn't as "saturated" with CF options.

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Nov 13, 2007 7:30 AM CST up reply actions

Lest we forget...........

.........Scott Boras is his agent.

by tville on Nov 13, 2007 8:20 AM CST up reply actions

You don't

think there's someone stupid enough to give a guy a four year deal after a horrible season? Come on, you're giving some teams far too much credit. I'd be surprised if the Giants (if they don't get ARod) don't give Jones 3 years at 35-40 million.

by HectorVillanueva on Nov 13, 2007 9:26 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think so...

I don't doubt that Jones will bounce back and have a much improved 2008. I wouldn't even mind seeing his bat in our line up. However, he will cost too much and he is just another right handed bat. Signing him will cost money that is better spent in other areas.

by nevadadave on Nov 13, 2007 7:31 AM CST reply actions

i wouldnt do it

if you do this, you have to give up prospects for the pitcher, then you have to pay the pitcher, then you have to pay the replacements for the prospects you just gave up. no way, the rotation is one of the better in the NL as it is, and you have your number one prospect ready to take over his reign in center field and be a cheap player for a while.

Kevin Hart Watch: IP: 11 K: 13 ERA: 0.82 WHIP: 1.00 K/BB: 3.25 a productive farm system is a wonderful thing.

by kylejo on Nov 13, 2007 8:24 AM CST reply actions

and can we please

i just dont like that everyone pencils in fukudome, i want him as much as anyone else, but i hate that it seems we're all just kind of assuming he'll end up on our team. we may have a decent shot at him, but ill consider us very fortunate if we can get him to sign here.

Kevin Hart Watch: IP: 11 K: 13 ERA: 0.82 WHIP: 1.00 K/BB: 3.25 a productive farm system is a wonderful thing.

by kylejo on Nov 13, 2007 8:25 AM CST reply actions

I like Jones on a one-year.

Tell him he's starting in RF, and if Pie doesn't work, you still have an above-average CF. It's not perfect, and probably not the first choice, but I wouldn't hate it.

by tyger1147 on Nov 13, 2007 8:38 AM CST reply actions

if he would move to right field

id like this approach. even at two years, you can hope tyler colvin would be ready by 2010. if we dont get fukudome, i would think this is the next best option.

Kevin Hart Watch: IP: 11 K: 13 ERA: 0.82 WHIP: 1.00 K/BB: 3.25 a productive farm system is a wonderful thing.

by kylejo on Nov 13, 2007 8:42 AM CST up reply actions

Braves fans aren't crying

I live in Atlanta, and nobody here is crying over his departure. Jones is considered pretty much the most unclutch player alive. Whether or not that's perception or reality, I can't tell you for sure. But it does seem like the rep is deserved.

And not only was his average way down last year, look at how much he strikes out. It's on par with Soriano.

by dorf on Nov 13, 2007 8:53 AM CST reply actions

If the goal

is to balance out the lineup to the highest degree possible, Jones would be far down on the list of priorities. Frankly, I don't think Piniella would sit idly by, if Hendry said he wanted to go after Jones. This team needs higher OBP and a left handed stick, not a power hitting RH bat that may be on the downside of their career.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Nov 13, 2007 9:11 AM CST reply actions

the last thing the Cubs need

is an expensive 30+ year old who strikes out a ton. Havent we seen this story over and over and over again??

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Nov 13, 2007 9:23 AM CST reply actions

for what it's worth

Jones has had exceptionally bad BABIP numbers for the past 3 years. If those go up to league average, which would be a reasonable expectation, his numbers would improve a lot.

That being said, I wouldn't sign him for the money he is going to want.

MURTON!!!

by tal1286 on Nov 13, 2007 1:03 PM CST reply actions

Andruw Jones is pure garbage.....

$15M+ a year for that crap? No thanks....go holler at your boy Ned Colletti with that one, thank you.

Super Mario Galaxy! Get it NOW!

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 13, 2007 1:33 PM CST reply actions

Andruw is a great baseball player

To call him "garbage" is absurd. He will cash in and he will nevertheless be more productive than either Torii or Rowand over the course of their 3 contracts.

A player like Andruw Jones is kind of like Adam Dunn, in that they both can have all the good things they do be ignored for the things they don't do in the handful of seasons where their AVGs are down. AVG fluctuates so much that for their skill-sets, you'll see those years from time to time where their AVGs are low and Ks are high. Jones had a year like that back in 2001 and then went on to hit .264/.366/.512 the year after that. So, I doubt he's done. He's 30 years old, healthy and as talented as it gets.

He just doesn't fit the Cubs well. If his agent wasn't Boras and you could get a bargain contract, I'd have my hat in that ring. But he'll get paid and he'll probably be one of the better free agent pickups of this off-season.

by DGU on Nov 13, 2007 2:45 PM CST reply actions