Andruw Jones is heading to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Andruw Jones is following Joe Torre to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Gold Glove center fielder and the Dodgers reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a $36.2 million, two-year contract that gives him the fifth-highest average salary in the major leagues.
Jones, the former Atlanta star who has won 10 straight Gold Gloves, is coming off one of the worst offensive seasons of his career. But if he rebounds, he could give the Dodgers a desperately needed boost in the middle of the lineup. He must pass a physical for the deal to be completed, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.
A five-time All-Star, Jones will receive a $12.2 million signing bonus, of which $5.1 million is payable next year, $2.1 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. He well get salaries of $9 million next year and $15 million in 2009, and also will receive a no-trade clause.
His agreement with the Dodgers was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site.
Jones hit .222 this season, his lowest average since he batted .217 in 106 at-bats as a rookie in 1996. His 26 home runs were his fewest since 1997. He drove in 94 runs for the Braves, but finished with a paltry .311 on-base percentage.
Had Jones finished with big numbers, he likely would have sought a longer-term agreement.
Andruw Jones moves Juan Pierre out of Center Field. His Power Numbers will decline, especially now he is at Dodger Stadium, which is a Pitcher's Paradise of a Ballpark. Still, good move by the Dodgers to sign a big name after missing out on the Miguel Cabrera Sweepstakes, even if he may not be worth the risk.
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