Posted October 2, 200717 yr Everyone knew it, its just official now... Personally i think he just had a bad year he still has alot of baseball left in him...
October 2, 200717 yr http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvHx...p&type=lgns End of an era: Braves cut ties with center fielder Andruw Jones By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP Sports Writer October 2, 2007 Atlanta Braves' Andruw Jones celebrates as he scores the go-ahead run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning of a baseball game in this Sept. 23, 2007 file photo at Turner Field in Atlanta. The Braves announced Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007 that they are cutting ties with Jones, saying they can't afford to keep the perennial Gold Glove center fielder who's spent his entire career with the organization. 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 is only the latest longtime Braves player to cut ties with Atlanta, following Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Javy Lopez. Once one of baseball's highest-spending teams under Ted Turner, the Braves cut their budget in recent years and went through a chance in corporate owners. 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." Associated Press freelance writer Amy Jinkner-Lloyd contributed to this report.
October 2, 200717 yr If his price drops I'd like to see him in a Marlins uniform, but ONLY if his price drops.
October 2, 200717 yr I don't like the Braves, but even they deserve better than an agent effectively ending negotiations before they ever have a chance to begin, especially when the player at least conflictedly wants to stay.
October 2, 200717 yr If his price drops I'd like to see him in a Marlins uniform, but ONLY if his price drops. well you can forget about that. even with a bad or so/so year...his price will rise. he is the center fielder on the market. and after the price gary matthews and now ichiro have gotten (and vernon wells) andruw is going to a team with money.
October 2, 200717 yr Well he might get a one year deal. But if Marlins are going to give a 1/15m deal to somebody, it better be Barry. Andruw wouldn't put butts in the seats.
October 2, 200717 yr i hate scott boras. he's such a loser. but on the andruw front, he wasn't very good at the plate to say the least, and killed alot of rallies, so on the offense side of the ball, this isn't a hit. but his defense is among the best of all time, and i'm sure all braves fans will miss automatic outs in center. but he wanted way too much and we had to cut ties. i wish andruw all the best in the rest of his career and whoever gets him will have a stellar defense overnight, but may be cursed by his bat. but don't think cf will be jones-free next year. you'll see brandon jones instead, and he's the real deal as well in center.
October 3, 200717 yr Prediction: Chicago White Sox will sign him for 7/100 +Â that's low. I say he sign for a bit more than that
October 3, 200717 yr Texas. I have no idea for how long or how much, but my guess is Texas. Torii Hunter is just about a lock at this point to sign with Texas.
October 3, 200717 yr Texas. I have no idea for how long or how much, but my guess is Texas. i think texas is done being taken by boras clients. i say he goes to the mets.
October 3, 200717 yr Texas. I have no idea for how long or how much, but my guess is Texas. i think texas is done being taken by boras clients. i say he goes to the mets.  The Mets?!??
October 3, 200717 yr Texas. I have no idea for how long or how much, but my guess is Texas. i think texas is done being taken by boras clients. i say he goes to the mets. Yup, that makes a ton of sense.
October 3, 200717 yr Texas. I have no idea for how long or how much, but my guess is Texas. Torii Hunter is just about a lock at this point to sign with Texas. You think? I could see Philly ditching Rowand for a big run at Torii, Rowand going back to the Sox and Andruw in Arlington.
October 3, 200717 yr Texas. I have no idea for how long or how much, but my guess is Texas. i think texas is done being taken by boras clients. i say he goes to the mets. what?
October 3, 200717 yr arent the mets the team with beltran? arent the mets the team with pitching problems and not outfield/hitting?
October 3, 200717 yr arent the mets the team with beltran? arent the mets the team with pitching problems and not outfield/hitting? i heard some rumors that beltran is out of new york (don't quote me on that). so if that happens (which i think is unlikely), andruw could be the new one in. in reality, i don't know.
October 3, 200717 yr It's too bad the Marlins won't sign him either. I hope the Dodgers go after him, idiots shouldn't have paid Juan Pierre like they did.
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