LAist: Dodgers Sign Jones to 5th Largest Salary in the Majors

iamrob

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:42:11 -0800

a braves fan in LA here. It's not a bad deal. He had a shitty year last year offensively. It was the first season where he wasn't clutch and the team had to turn to other bats. luckily they landed Teixera. Hopefully it's just a glitch in a good career. One thing is certain, though - his prowess in center field. In my life, no one has played better center field, more consistently than andruw. almost all of the braves coaches and commentators will agree, even post-trade. between he and torre (and furcal), this braves fan is warming up to the dodgers.

thedarkocean

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:16:21 -0800

This is a mediocre signing. Jones definitely looks like he's declining, especially after playing so hard for so long. If he was worth the money, no doubt Atlanta would've kept him but they did the smart thing. The only good thing here is that it's a 2 year contract, albeit an overpaid one. If we're going to spend big we need to get better players with more consistent upside for a longer term; we need some stability and chemistry, more of all.

ishXdavid

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:33:29 -0800

This was the deal I was hoping the Dodgers would make since I knew Jones would come on the cheap. I know $36M/2 is anything but "cheap", but you have to look at the two numbers and what they represent. The $36M is for the 5-tool player who was having a hall of fame career before last year's statistical swan dive. The two year term of the contract is the result of that swan dive. He's only 2 seasons removed from 41 HRs and 3 seasons from 51. Even in his worst season ever he had enough HRs and RBIs to lead the Dodgers. A lot is being made of Andruw losiing a step, being out of shape, and being uncoachable, but I think this 2-year deal is an audition for Jones to prove that his career has not peaked. In 2010 he will only be 32 years old which is the same age as Torii Hunter now, and he will be looking for a similar high-level, long-term contract. Not only do the Dodgers pick up a player with elite-level skills at a time when he must produce for his own sake, but they're also in a position now to make amends for last season's terrible signing, Juan Pierre. The Dodgers must jettison Pierre and that contract even if they have to eat some of the money. The hole in the defense Pierre creates in the outfield offsets what little impact he makes with the bat.

Tony Pierce

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:18:08 -0800

Crawford would have cost a LOT more and the Dodgers already have plenty of speed. He could be the best player in baseball, but they needed pop. And pop they just got. As for GG voting... sure Jeter may not have earned all of his trophies (or dates w/Mariah Carey), but when you win 10 gold gloves that's no accident.

Andy Sternberg

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:49:45 -0800

I'm with Jeremy. Who cares what cost -- the bargain is in the short-term commitment. We're talking about a much better player, imo, than JD Drew, who somehow inked a 5-year $70 million deal with the Sox. If the Dodgers gain a player in Jones who can hit 30 HRs and 100 RBIs AND actually find the ball in center field, look out. There's always a chance that a Kent or Martin or Loney or potentially Kemp and Ethier can hit 20-25 HRs and 100 RBIs, but it's been too long since the Dodgers have had more than one dependable run producer on their team. Between fighting for a long-term deal on Carl Crawford or Aaron Rowand, I think the the Dodgers are getting away with one here, especially since Crawford and Rowand may both resign with their respective teams when all is said and done.

Jeremy_Oberstein

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:16:25 -0800

I really like this signing. Jones brings an air of success to the club that lacks for a true veteran presence in the outfield. He could help Kemp and Ethier, both pretty good defensively as it is, measurably in the outfield. As for the price. Bah. Yeah, they overpaid, but the Dodgers have a lot of money. So, bah. An outfield with Ethier in left, Jones in center and Kemp in right makes me laugh with giddy school girl delight. I just hope they don't get rid of Kemp and or Ethier to make way for Pierre, one of the worst center fielders in the game.

AsherBaruch

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:33:28 -0800

Dude has a tribal arm band tattoo, which automatically makes his decision making skills questionable.

Ryanicus

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:08:19 -0800

He looks fat and slow in center field. The reason he has so many spectacular catches is because he can barely catchup to the ball...

cephyn

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:02:04 -0800

Gold Gloves are no measure of defense. Derek Jeter, by far the WORST defensive shortstop in the league, has 3. Jones is a very good defensive CF though. Just saying, don't assume a player with a gold glove is any good defensively.