It is completely evident to me now that baseball truly is the one sport that can suck great players up and spit them out just as easily. However, this time, the player that the league spat out isn’t exactly a superstar….anymore (or at least, didn’t look like one the past two years).
Let me tell you all a little story about Andruw Jones, which is nothing new to you all. Jones was signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1993 as an amateur free agent at 19-years-old. By his twelfth season in Atlanta, Jones had 1,683 hits, 368 home runs, and 1,117 RBIs.
In December of ’07, Jones signed a two-year, $36.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was talked about as LA’s answer. Last season, however, Jones hit only .158 with 3 home runs and 14 RBIs in 75 games. But, did I mention the fact that he has ten Gold Gloves?
Seeing as the Dodgers have an attachment to a good-lookin’ fellow by the name of Manny Ramirez, they cannot afford to keep Jones any longer. So…they released him.
Armed with a fresh lay-off and hopefully a clear head, Jones hooked up with the Texas Rangers and was signed to a minor-league deal, which will pay him $500,000 if he makes the big leagues again. Also in the deal was an opportunity to earn $1 million from incentives. On top of this, the Dodgers still owe Jones $22.1 million which they will pro-rate over six years.
Jones declined an offer from the New York Yankees this offseason to join the Rangers. It is said his main motive was his desire to work with batting coach Rudy Jaramillo. This is a great move by the Rangers. Think about it, they are getting a “great” player who isn’t playing so hot for a cheap price with the hopes of reaping the benefits of Jones’ resurrection.