Should Braves consider bringing back Andruw Jones?
Andruw Jones hit 19 home runs last season with the White Sox.
Hey look: Andruw Jones is still available and the Braves could use a right-handed bat and an extra outfielder.
OK, all together now: Schultz, you’re an idiot.
Truth is, I’m not pushing for the Braves to sign Jones. But I’m not completely dismissing the idea, either.
Have to admit, I’m only bringing this up because I’ve received a few emails in the last couple of days from readers asking me about Jones, and our resident baseball man David O’Brien tells me he also has been fielding questions from fans.
First, let’s address the negative: Jones will be 34 in April, obviously isn’t the Gold Glove center fielder he used to be with the Braves and often stirs up gale force winds when he’s at the plate.
Now here’s the positive: Playing for the Chicago White Sox last season, his third team in three years, Jones hit 19 home runs in 328 plate appearances. That roughly translates to a 40-home run season as a regular (which he’s not). Jones even walked 45 times, which gave him an on-base percentage of .341 (his best since 2006) and hit .230 (still anemic but better than the previous three years: .222, .158, .214)
The Braves could use a right-handed bat off the bench. For that matter, their outfield still makes me nervous. Martin Prado will be the everyday left fielder, unless Chipper Jones has a setback and can’t start at third. Jason Heyward is in right. Then there’s the great black hole in center: Nate McLouth. Jordan Schafer also will be camp in spring training, hoping to belatedly jump start his career. Eric Hinske and Joe Mather can fill in.
Is that good enough?
There are reports the New York Yankees are interested in Jones. The major league minimum salary is $414,000 next season, though Jones presumably would sign for something in the $750,000 to $1 million range.
There’s nothing to indicate the Braves are interested. The question is whether it’s risky to bring back a player who once was a star in that city and now is in his final days. But if Jones is desperate enough to accept a reduced role, I don’t see that as an issue. It’s something to think about, anyway.
By Jeff Schultz
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272 comments Add your comment
cp8
January 12th, 2011
1:39 pm
yeah, bring him back. There’s no risk. He’s got enough upside for a back up role and he’d fit in the clubhouse well.
C'mon Man
January 12th, 2011
1:40 pm
I agree that it was a good move to let him go as a free agent, but i also believe it is a good idea to bring him back. The Money was the reason he left, but money would also be the reason to bring him back.
Carlton
January 12th, 2011
1:42 pm
Bring him back. I think Jones has matured a lot since we let him go because here in Atlanta, he felt entitled to something-like he was automatically going to be the next big thing in CF. As he’s switched teams, I think he’s calmed down and realized that it’s not as easy as it once was for him to just get out and make the team. With newly found maturity and his ability to still hit, locker room presence and his love of the city, I think it could be a good rejuvenation story. Plus, the ATL fans would definitely welcome him back despite how we cut ties with him..
Yea right.............
January 12th, 2011
1:42 pm
For what? Schaffer is healthy is better then Andruw is now. And Schaffer has a future, Andruw is done and over. With our payroll like it is, I really have to say if they spend money it needs to be for a hole that is produced out of spring training. It took a long time to get rid of Andruw. You dont bring him back. Let the Yankees or better yet, let the Muts sign him.
ronron
January 12th, 2011
1:43 pm
Hell yeah!!! Better than what we already have
Ted M
January 12th, 2011
1:43 pm
I surprised Wren has, so far, tabbed Schafer to be McLouth’s backup. I like Schafer, but if he’s not the starter on opening day he needs to be starting at Gwinnett.
C'mon Man
January 12th, 2011
1:46 pm
Yea right… Yeah lets just stick to Joe Mather being the guy that takes that roster spot. I mean he hit .217 with 0 HR and 3 RBI’s in 60 AB’s… I think thats a great idea right?
Ted M
January 12th, 2011
1:48 pm
Yea right………….you’re confused nobody is claiming he’ll be the future so don’t compare him with Schafer.
Andruw is an economical roll player who, if in shape, can help the Braves.
raleighbravesfan
January 12th, 2011
1:48 pm
White and Gold – “cut Chipper” Really? That would be incredibly stupid. First, you don’t have a clue how good (or bad) he will be post injury. He was NL batting champion 2 years ago (2008), and was playing very well when he got hurt. He is also great in the clubhouse.
Second, and more importatnt, you do realize you have to pay him the $28 Million remaining on his contract, right? This isn’t the NFL. MLB has a REAL player’s union, and contracts are guaranteed. So what you are saying is you want Braves to tell him to go away, but continue to pay the rest of his contract. Is that right? Stupid!
Ross
January 12th, 2011
1:48 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
ICMIII
January 12th, 2011
1:49 pm
Oh…hell…no.
C'mon Man
January 12th, 2011
1:50 pm
IF YOU SAY “NO” TO THIS MOVE YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO ANY OF THE FACTS!!!
Dawglasville
January 12th, 2011
1:52 pm
Yes. We should have brought him back last year. I felt like Bobby could have gotten the best out of him. What was the risk if we would have done it at the minimum.
TONE
January 12th, 2011
1:57 pm
is ron gant or david justice available ?
what about dale murphy ?
hmmmmm........
January 12th, 2011
1:58 pm
I think Andruw is done. They should go after hairston. Any chance they trade schafer before the season starts or do they keep him around try to make him the centerfielder in 2012?
MObravesfan
January 12th, 2011
1:58 pm
If the price is right, I don’t understand why they would not consider bringing Andruw back. I think it is a real good idea. I have been wondering the same thing for some time now.
raleighbravesfan
January 12th, 2011
1:59 pm
If Andruw were never a Brave, would we even consider this? that’s the real criteria. I don’t think Wren makes any move until he sees whqat we already have during ST. I agree with that plan, BTW.
raleighbravesfan
January 12th, 2011
2:01 pm
Are you the same people who constantly criticize Wren for bringing in projects and has beens? That’s exactly what Andruw is right now.
hmmmmm........
January 12th, 2011
2:02 pm
Anyone saying yes here is andruw’s average the last three seasons since he left. .158 .214 .230
BullDawgMike
January 12th, 2011
2:02 pm
Our biggest division rival just signed Cliff Lee. Do I need to say anything else? Andrew Jones OMG !!
hmmmmm........
January 12th, 2011
2:03 pm
He couldn’t juice anymore and his body fell apart
raleighbravesfan
January 12th, 2011
2:03 pm
Question is not “is the price right”, or “is he cheap”. The question is “is he the best option for the price”? My opinion is no.
blord
January 12th, 2011
2:04 pm
Andruw is 33? Yea right!
I am not dismissing it but it seems as if evey year our outfield is made up of one every day player and a bunch of guys that are not everyday players.
raleighbravesfan
January 12th, 2011
2:04 pm
hmmmmm…. posible, but unfounded. It is irrisponsible to speculate without evidence.
Buckeye
January 12th, 2011
2:04 pm
Praise Jesus. A change of subject at last!
TONE
January 12th, 2011
2:05 pm
brian jordan ? what about Prime Time ? they might be willing to come back.
Matt
January 12th, 2011
2:06 pm
*Channeling my inner Whitney Houston*- “He!! to the NO”!
BullDawgMike
January 12th, 2011
2:07 pm
TONE, don’t forget about Dale Murphy !
hmmmmm........
January 12th, 2011
2:07 pm
unfounded? look at the era he played in and look at him when he was 19. anyone remember him paying for sex at the gold club?
tyger
January 12th, 2011
2:09 pm
No Brainer: Hell yes!
The Braves and both Andruw and Chipper are tied at the hip.
The last time the Braves were great both Andruw and Chipper were great.
Both Chipper and Andruw came up through the ranks from Macon.
Braves havent been squat since Andruw left.
Some players are destined to be with their original teams. Its a karma thing.
Andruw, like Chipper, are still better than most, even on the downstroke.
Andruw is a Hall of Famer. Braves need as many HOFs as they can get.
Whats there to lose?
Andruw is a Brave for life.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 12th, 2011
2:10 pm
Please Andruw don’t do it man!
You have too much class to come back to these losers
Go to the Yankees and get that ring.
Katherine
January 12th, 2011
2:12 pm
I say heck yes bring andruw back…he’s an amazing outfielder its a win win situation.
MObravesfan
January 12th, 2011
2:12 pm
The thing is we know Andruw because he played here as one of the favorites for a long time. He fell out of favor because his hitting fell off. Never because he could not play his position. He would have finished second on the Braves in home runs and was a part time player. If we were ever to have a project player, why not make it one of our own. Like someone said before, low risk and possible high reward.
raleighbravesfan
January 12th, 2011
2:13 pm
hmmmmm… Speculate all you want, but all you have is a suspicion. You have no facts, and to my knowledge, he has never been tied to any steroid talk.
BTW, what the heck does the Gold Club incident have to do with steroids???
Reeves
January 12th, 2011
2:13 pm
Personally, would have rather kept Matt Diaz. At least, he did not grin like a cheshire cat when he struck out. And, we wouldn’t have to worry about outfield security when a fan rushed the field. I think we will be better off going with someone new. Might as well re-acquire Francour if we’re gonna go backwards.
Mike
January 12th, 2011
2:13 pm
He was actually pretty good last year despite the .230 batting average (we all know by now how misleading batting averages can be, right?). And he was really, really good against lefties. Considering the Braves need a right-handed bat and Andruw’s success against lefties, it certainly has some merit.
DHD
January 12th, 2011
2:14 pm
No….STOP obsessing over former players.
redwave
January 12th, 2011
2:14 pm
YES–AJ has no illusions as to what his role would be and having an extra right handed bat on the bench would be great. No matter what you feel about his past AJ is a good person who would fit nicely with the Braves roster. Bring him back–the Braves could do a lot worse.
jfreak13713
January 12th, 2011
2:15 pm
I like Jones and would love to see him retire a Brave but it would have to be a VERY reduced role and the league minimum before I would think this deal to work out for the Braves. However, if Jones would consider a role position and low salary in order to finish his career where it began I would be all for it! Who else are the Braves going to sign that will do any better?
raleighbravesfan
January 12th, 2011
2:16 pm
hmmmmm… Speculate all you want, but you have no evidence that Andruw used steroids., In fact, I’m unaware of any suggestion of that.
BTW, What the HECK does the Gold Club incident have to do with steroids?
JASon
January 12th, 2011
2:20 pm
Players get shuffled around every year and teams are constantly changing. The best players in the league will inevitably end up in one of three organizations, meanwhile the rest of the teams beg and battle for the scraps. Empty stadiums throughout the league for 2 1/2 months every year. Way to go, Major League Baseball.
gadawgs
January 12th, 2011
2:20 pm
Jeff…Not a bad thought if we can have him a respectable number. I would absolutely consider iit if I was the Braves. He knows Fredi also and vice versa.
DawginLex
January 12th, 2011
2:23 pm
Andruw is one of the original group of “winner Braves” along with Chipper. If there is a way to get him here and allow him to finish his career in ATL without breaking the bank, I say do it.
Larry
January 12th, 2011
2:23 pm
Not no, but HELL NO!
We finally get the worst manager in post season history (1-15 last game record) to retire and now it is time to bury the past a start anew.
No more overweight, free hanging hacks on this team!
Smack
January 12th, 2011
2:24 pm
I said at the beginning of the winter that Andruw was a logical choice for us. Now I would say it would be Jerry Harriston Jr. since he can play CF and SS. Rather have a guy that can step in instead of guy to fill in (Diory) at SS.
hmmmmm........
January 12th, 2011
2:24 pm
character. If you’d pay for sex at a strip club i wouldn’t put taking steroids past him.
DawginLex
January 12th, 2011
2:25 pm
Matt Choke ryan,
You looking forward to Mike vick coming to town Saturday?
TO SIT IN THE STANDS AND WATCH THE WINNERS PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
STRETCH
January 12th, 2011
2:25 pm
Why not, the guy hit 19 hrs last season and coming back home should give him even more motivation to produce. Go for it!
Reeves
January 12th, 2011
2:26 pm
This reminds me of when we tried to bring back Javy Lopez and Tom Glavine, both great players at one time, but a mistake 2nd time around. I think one of our younger players is a better direction, especially when you consider the speed necessary for the outfield.
STRETCH
January 12th, 2011
2:26 pm
Plus…WHO IN THEIR OUTFIELD BESIDES HEYWARD HIT MORE THAN 10 LAST SEASON?