November 18, 200520 yr Report: Chipper Jones restructuring deal with Braves ESPN.com news services Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has agreed to restructure his contract, potentially saving the team $15 million over the next three seasons, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday night. The deal would reduce Jones' 2006 salary from $17 million to $11 million. According to Jones' agent, B.B. Abbott, the new contract would pay Jones $11 million guaranteed in 2007 and 2008. It also includes a $4 million signing bonus to be paid in January, and an option for 2009 worth between $8 million and $11 million, depending on performance incentives in the previous year. Jones, concerned that his salary had become a "drag" to the Braves' payroll, has offered to restructure his contract at the end of each of the last two seasons. The deal, which won't become final until Jones passes a physical exam, would free up salary so the Braves could address other needs this winter, most notably re-signing free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. Under his existing contract, Jones could have earned as much as $52 million in salary and bonuses over the next three seasons were all incentives met. The deal included options for 2007 and 2008, that would have paid him $15 million had he made 450 plate appearances or appeared in the All-Star Game in 2006 or 2007. Jones made 432 plate appearances last season despite missing 53 games with injuries. Jones also would have received a $5 million bonus if both options had kicked in. Jones batted .296 with 21 HR and 72 RBI last season, appearing in 109 games. In 12 major-league seasons, all with the Braves, Jones has a career .303 batting average with 1,811 hits, 331 home runs and 1,111 RBI. He won the NL MVP in 1999. So he ends up with a longer deal but for less annually. Hey Beinfest, why not try this with character guys who legitimately want to be here like Luis? Players love that long term security, but...nah, makes too much sense. Good move for the Braves though, lets them offer some more money to Furcal.
November 18, 200520 yr Restructuring is selling the future for payroll flexibility at the time. Our organization has been pretty good at stretching its budget.
November 18, 200520 yr Author Restructuring is selling the future for payroll flexibility at the time. Our organization has been pretty good at stretching its budget. They've also demonstrated an affinity for ma?ana economics, and this is baseball's equivalent.
November 18, 200520 yr Beinfest has done this before, with a "character guy" who wants to be here, Conine.
November 21, 200520 yr So let's suppose Lowell would be willing to restructure his contract. He is already guaranteed $18M over the next two years. What would be attractive enough for Lowell to agree, and the Marlins to decide to keep him? 3 years/$21M, 4 years/$24M?
November 21, 200520 yr Author So let's suppose Lowell would be willing to restructure his contract. He is already guaranteed $18M over the next two years. What would be attractive enough for Lowell to agree, and the Marlins to decide to keep him? 3 years/$21M, 4 years/$24M? Lowell wouldn't likely do it. He cared too much about getting these final 2 years guaranteed at the end of last year. This was aimed in the general direction of Castillo, maybe LoDuca. I know that in both cases we're probably talking about only $4-$6 million of relief over the next two years, but since it seems we may be nickle and diming our way through this offseason...every little bit helps.
November 21, 200520 yr If our attendance ever got out of the cellar, we wouldn't be in this situation. *Stares at the people of Greater Miami*
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