He's headed home from winter ball:

 

The usually accurate Raul Tavares sends me the following missive via e-mail (spelling and punctuation is all original):

 

Hi rob, happy new year, just a few lines to let you know that andruw jones left his team for good, and is not coming back, the reason is that his wife is sick, but the real reason for me is that the team asked him to leave.

 

He was struggling here, only a .148 ave, slow in defense, the team was desperate and they did not release him just because furcal recomended him and did not want to upset rafael, jones replacement hit a 3 run hr and aguilas won just the second game of the semi finals.

 

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/...ts_winter_ball/

Andruw Jones at his best was an amazing player, and if he's available for a low price, I say go for it. 2008 for him could very well have been like Mike Lowell's 2005, and made even worse by having less playing time. Even if he(Jones) never recaptures the way he played in 2005, if he rebounds well he could easily be a GG OF again and provide good power, even without consistently hitting for average.

 

I also remember this one amazing highlight of Andruw Jones hitting a broken bat HR to straight away dead CF in Atlanta. Not just because of that, but I do think he is an especially talented player, and if he has been lazy, last year might be a wakeup call. If he comes cheap, it would be worth it to see if comes out with something to prove.

I just don't know what his role could be, fourth OF/veteran back up if he makes the team out of ST? I wish I could say that he can get rid of the demons of the year past, but I just don't see it.

Pitching, Speed, Defense. Andrew definitely helps us w/ the defense. I would imagine he would have to replace either Ross or Hermida if he were to sign. neither option seems very convincing the way he has played recently. Unless Maybin flops during ST, then Andrew can be given a chance.

 

I don't see it a feasible solution to sign him and have him play off the bench. If we were to give him a chance, I believe he needs to be given the full chance to have him break out of the slump. So, I disagree w/ the signing based on the fact that he may have to play off of the bench. The way he has played, he shouldn't replace any of our outfielders. I say let someone else take a chance. We could always find someone else who has a good defense and can be had rather inexpensively.

I have always been an Andruw Jones fan, and I would love to see him in the Marlins. He would be a great addition to this team if we don't have to spend much money on him. He could play the outfield position and make Cody our fourth outfielder, and if he plays like the A. Jones we all know and love, then this would be the biggest STEAL of the year.

I have always been an Andruw Jones fan, and I would love to see him in the Marlins. He would be a great addition to this team if we don't have to spend much money on him. He could play the outfield position and make Cody our fourth outfielder, and if he plays like the A. Jones we all know and love, then this would be the biggest STEAL of the year.

 

Cody deserves a starting spot in the OF after his performances last year. If anything it would be Hermida that would be benched for Jones, however even then Hermida deserves to start over Andruw considering how bad Jones has been the past couple of years. And this is coming from me, who is not a Hermida fan.

Andruw Jones set to be released

 

News: Andruw Jones and the Dodgers are close to parting ways. The team has agreed to trade or release Jones in exchange for the center fielder deferring much of the $22 million remaining on his contract, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions. The person spoke Monday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly about the deal. The agreement is expected to cut $12 million off the Dodgers' payroll next season and reduce Jones' salary to about $5 million. If the team can't trade Jones, then he can ask for his release before spring training, the person said. If the Dodgers release Jones, they would owe him all but the minimum $400,000 salary.

ST invite? Send it to Jones when he gets released before the Braves do... Whos with me?

Cody deserves a starting spot in the OF after his performances last year. If anything it would be Hermida that would be benched for Jones, however even then Hermida deserves to start over Andruw considering how bad Jones has been the past couple of years. And this is coming from me, who is not a Hermida fan.

 

On the other hand, not to disparage either Marlins player, were Jones to come into camp and blow it up, what are you going to do but let him play? For one reason or another neither player is likely to be with the team in a starting capacity for any length of time, not with guys like Stanton and Morrison, and others, working their way through the system, not to mention trade possibilities coming and going, so in the interim whether it's an Andruw Jones or Joe Fillintheblank, if someone pushes either player out of the way. This team will take, in my estimation, any avenue it can to get itself into contention in '09 and that means throwing someone under the bus they will and not think twice about it.

 

That said, didn't I read somewhere this morning Jones was at some NBA game recently or last night wearing an Atlanta Braves cap? Just because all the parties have agreed not to "talk" about the matter that doesn't mean someone can't find another way of communicating his preferences visibly.

Cody deserves a starting spot in the OF after his performances last year. If anything it would be Hermida that would be benched for Jones, however even then Hermida deserves to start over Andruw considering how bad Jones has been the past couple of years. And this is coming from me, who is not a Hermida fan.

 

On the other hand, not to disparage either Marlins player, were Jones to come into camp and blow it up, what are you going to do but let him play? For one reason or another neither player is likely to be with the team in a starting capacity for any length of time, not with guys like Stanton and Morrison, and others, working their way through the system, not to mention trade possibilities coming and going, so in the interim whether it's an Andruw Jones or Joe Fillintheblank, if someone pushes either player out of the way. This team will take, in my estimation, any avenue it can to get itself into contention in '09 and that means throwing someone under the bus they will and not think twice about it.

 

That said, didn't I read somewhere this morning Jones was at some NBA game recently or last night wearing an Atlanta Braves cap? Just because all the parties have agreed not to "talk" about the matter that doesn't mean someone can't find another way of communicating his preferences visibly.

 

My brother did that on National Signing Day in 2006 when he intended on signing with the University of Florida after signing day and could not officially announce his commitment. He wore a UF hat with a matching ralph lauren polo, but did not participate in the press conference "officially", although his outfit was speculated by a couple of local writers.

Who's your brother?

Who's your brother?

 

Cody Clinton. Ranked #4 QB in the state of Florida behind Tim Tebow (UF) and Thaddeus Lewis (Duke), and Second-Team All-State and considered a top offensive prospect by perfect game as a baseball OF. Was a leader or led both just about every important statistical category in baseball and football in Palm Beach County between 2005-2006.

 

Was offered preferred walk-on at UF in both sports, did not accept in hopes of MLB Draft. Injury kept him out of the draft senior year, went to PBCC, and ended up having a knee injury. Hasn't played since. Not a fun story to tell... And he certainly isn't happy about the two rings he could've had. He was pretty much a poor-mans Tim Tebow, a little smaller (6-2, 220) but almost identical playing styles. Baseball, picture a right-handed Logan Morrison. Incredible contact and bat speed, lots of line drive gap power with big home run potential.

 

I actually keep telling him to hit up a pro tryout now that he's healthy, or use his college eligibility for football... but I guess the drive is gone. Injuries are unfortunate.

Just stop with this stuff. It hurts the team credibility to even put Jones name on the message board.

More stuff on the Jones front from Fanball:

 

The News

The Marlins are discussing Andruw Jones one day after he was officially given his release by the Dodgers, according to South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He could potentially be signed for the league minimum, $400,000.

 

Our View

Jones could be worth the risk for the Marlins if he could get into decent shape. However, it's difficult to know if that's a possibility as that's why the Dodgers cut him in the first place.

Again, where would he play? I don't want him taking Maybin out of center.

Again, where would he play? I don't want him taking Maybin out of center.

Anywhere from 4th OF to CF/RF/LF if one of those guys aren't doing well. That is, of course, assuming that Jones will be closer to form.

Juan rodriguez sunsentinel is saying the marlins are having internal discusssions which isn'tuch but something. He supposedly has a great relationship with fredi.

I'd love to get Andrew but hes been slumping bigtime, he could break out at anytime with hard work and the right hitting coach and could be a steal for a smaller contract as a 4th outfielder plus he's still a pretty good fielder.

 

He did usually kill the fish, can anyone get his stats in Dolphin/Pro Player Stadium?

Again, where would he play? I don't want him taking Maybin out of center.

 

 

He'd be the 4th OF'er.

Again, where would he play? I don't want him taking Maybin out of center.

 

 

He'd be the 4th OF'er.

 

 

or the starter when Hermida falters.

Again, where would he play? I don't want him taking Maybin out of center.

 

 

He'd be the 4th OF'er.

 

 

or the starter when Hermida falters.

 

 

No, but if Andruw were to somewhat return to his old form, they'd platoon.

He'd be a nice fit, b/c he could play all 3 OF spots, and there are question marks in the OF. I don't see Maybin, Ross, or Hermida drastically faltering, but it's always nice to have a guy who could fill in, and, at the very least, provide great defense (assuming he won't be looking like a fat tank next year).

Again, where would he play? I don't want him taking Maybin out of center.

 

 

He'd be the 4th OF'er.

 

 

or the starter when Hermida falters.

 

Non Beliver

 

I'll remeber this when he prove you and everybody else wrong

 

Plus Hermida's struggling >>>>> Andrew Jones' stuggling

Again, where would he play? I don't want him taking Maybin out of center.

 

 

He'd be the 4th OF'er.

 

 

or the starter when Hermida falters.

 

Non Beliver

 

I'll remeber this when he prove you and everybody else wrong

 

Plus Hermida's struggling >>>>> Andrew Jones' stuggling

 

 

Hermida has proved nothing, and Jones is coming off a bad year. I seriously would rather bring in Posednick, but we didn't want to spend any money on the real guys who would help us such as Burrell or Ibanez, so we may be stuck with hoping Hermida pans out and Amezaga to fill in if needed.

Again, where would he play? I don't want him taking Maybin out of center.

 

 

He'd be the 4th OF'er.

 

 

or the starter when Hermida falters.

 

Non Beliver

 

I'll remeber this when he prove you and everybody else wrong

 

Plus Hermida's struggling >>>>> Andrew Jones' stuggling

 

 

Hermida has proved nothing, and Jones is coming off a bad year. I seriously would rather bring in Posednick, but we didn't want to spend any money on the real guys who would help us such as Burrell or Ibanez, so we may be stuck with hoping Hermida pans out and Amezaga to fill in if needed.

 

 

Actually Jones has had 2 bad years.

Hermida has proven something.

And if Andruw Jones can be half of his old self, he's better than Scott Podsednik. I don't see why you like Podsednik so much. All he has is great speed. There are cheaper versions of him...Raynor, for example, could, easily, be a Scott Podsednik.

Yeah I figured 4th OF, but I'm sure he is looking to go somewhere where he can be an everyday player. After all, he already stated that he does not want a minor-league deal.