Andruw Jones

[Fear The Chorizo]

Trading for this guy would be the definition of acquiring a rent-a-player, as well as the definition of buying low. If Hall's high ankle sprain has him out until September, would the Brewers want to trade for him? A bigger question is would the Braves be willing to give him up for a reasonable price, since he's probably not going to be resigning there, anyway?

 

His numbers are putrid to this point in the season, but he does have 14 HR, and he is still a plus centerfielder - although he is nowhere near as good defensively as he was a few years back when he was a deserved gold glover. His history says that he's going to improve his BA, and have a better 2nd 1/2 than what he's shown thus far. He obviously has the motivation to play well, since it's his FA year.

 

Since the Braves are currently suffering from a lack of rotation depth, and they have plenty of offense aside from Andruw Jones, would they be willing to deal him to Milwaukee for a package like Vargas and Balfour, or something similar? Some combination of a starter and bullpen arm/prospect? Villy or Yo could then step back into the rotation, and the bullpen spot vacated by one of them could be filled by Parra, Thatcher, Balfour, whoever is still on the 40 man in AAA after the trade.

 

Jones finishes the season in Milwaukee, then almost certainly declares for free agency and signs elsewhere, netting the Brewers at the very least a sandwich pick or two toward the top of the draft. Hall doesn't have to rush himself back, and can return when he's 100%, possibly even returning to a super utility role for the rest of the season if Jones is producing. It would give the Brewers an option to replace Weeks for the remainder of the year if his wrist continues to bother him, and he continues to struggle offensively.

 

The 2008 season could then start with a Healthy Hall back in center, and hopefully a healthy-wristed Weeks back at 2nd

 

A lineup of:

 

Hart

Hardy

Braun

Fielder

Hall

Estrada

Jones

Jenkins/Mench

P

 

is pretty right handed heavy, but also pretty formidable.

 

Thoughts?

 

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[jjgott]

I like it. I have always been a Jones fan and never thought the day would come when realistically we could nab him for not that much. I am still a little hazy on what it would take to get a guy like Jones. I think something along the lines of Vargas, Aquino, and a minor league IF or OF could get it done, but there may need to be a 4th player added to that deal on the Brewers side. Ultimately I would think it would be an improvement on both defense and offense, however, I can only imagine the talk on this board when he goes 1-4 with 3 K's.

[Fear The Chorizo]

He's the type of hitter that's ideally suited for the 6 or 7 slot in the lineup - he's too streaky a hitter to be expected to be a consistent run producer, but when he gets hot he can carry a team.

 

I would think the Braves are at least going to listen to offers for him - it's probably one of those trades that would get Scheurholz a gem, but then it could ultimately lead to a team drafting a gem with a compensation pick after Jones leaves via free agency.

 

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[UWRyan428]

If we could get him for his current value, I would be jumping all over it. However, given that the Brews are now backed into a corner, and the fact that he once led the league in HR's, and his reputation (though, undeservedly, at least according to Jayson Stark) for Gold Glove defense, and his icon-status in Atlanta (youngest player to hit a HR in the WS...), I'm thinking that it may take more than fodder to secure his rights. I would jump at a deal of Vargas, Escobar, and Gwynn, even if it is overpaying, simply because, at present, we are quite short-handed. I do remember, however, that last year, Andruw Jones was amenable to waiving his no-trade clause (I believe he's 10/5) to play for Ned. Good Times.

[UWRyan428]

If we tossed them Capuano, is there any way we might be able to get Andruw Jones, Rafael Soriano, and some money to offset the remainder on Jones' contract?

[aracko]

I cant see it happening because the Brewers wouldnt do that to Billy Hall. I think he is promised a place in CF. I wouldnt expect Bill Hall to learn to play LF.

 

 

That said - would Bill Hall and Manny Parra(whom I really wouldnt want to move) net us Andruw Jones? By moving Hall we might also be able to sign Jones before he becomes a FA.

 

I think that gives you the most feared lineup in the Bigs.

1. Hart

2. Hardy

3. Braun

4. Prince

5. Jones

6. Jenkins

7. Estrada

8. Weeks

 

After that I would still really like to see a power bat added to the bench.......

-----------------

 

Bench

--------------

Mench

Counsell

Graffy

Miller

Gwynn

[endaround]

Hall will make 1/2 to 1/3 of Jones, is younger and has been good recently. Why would the Brewers do that?

[aracko]

Cause in my opinion Hall is half the player of Andruw Jones.

 

If I am not mistaken - Jones has won a gold glove for the last 10 seasons in CF. At the end of the year you know that Jones will give you 30 + Jacks, whereas Bill Hall has done it once.

 

Its just my opinion but I wouldnt put Bill Hall anywhere close to the same level as Andruw Jones.

[endaround]

And Jones isn't signed past this year. And he has been good defensively since 2003. His fielding runs above average for the past 4 seasons are:-1, -5, -3, 1. Jones is currently hitting :.202/.303/.404. He's 3 years older than Hall and likely will want $12 million a year.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I'm not saying Andruw Jones is going to replace Hall - if Hall's high ankle sprain has him out 6-8 weeks, that sets his return back to September. Hall would still have the CF job starting next season. Jones would leave via free agency after the year, and with what he'll be paid the Brewers will get additional sandwich picks in the early rounds of the draft - something they didn't have this year.

 

What I'm saying is that if it does take Hall that long to get back, why not bring in a good centerfielder that will allow Hall not to have to rush himself back? Hall has shown that he can play basically anywhere, and last I checked he'll still be getting paid the same contract he is now if he plays 2B instead of center the rest of this year. I'm not giving up on Weeks, either, but it's obvious that his wrist has affected his offensive ability, and confidence at the plate.

 

Trading for Andruw Jones would be a move with a win-now mentality that wouldn't greatly affect the long-term outlook of the roster. In 08, Hall would be back in center and Weeks would be back at 2nd every day.

 

Andruw Jones becoming a free agent after this season is exactly why Milwaukee should see if they can trade for him - they wouldn't have to worry about his contract in future years, because he'll resign elsewhere.

[jackalope02ca]

With Hall out and it being unknown when he'll come back and how effective he will be the rest of the year you have to make the call. It would take an Inman type to get him or 2-3 of our best in Brevard or West Virginia but it would likely be worth it. He seems to be snapping out of things the past couple of days.

 

Jones won't be hitting under the Mendoza line by the end of the season and a change of scenery might just be what he needs. His salary is irrelevant if he helps to carry us into the playoffs. If he gets us a World Series we might even be able to re-sign him. Who knows.

[Crewin06]

Maybe I am just in the dark a little bit.

 

But Considering

 

1.) Atlanta is just 2 games out of the division race

 

2.) Andruw Jones has been a fixture in the Atlanta Organization for the past 11 seasons

 

3.) he is arguably still there best player

 

4.) there is a very good possiblity of the Braves facing the Brewers in the playoffs

 

Why would the Braves do any deal that didn't involve significant upgrades for this season.

 

Now I could see them doing a deal involving Braun, Gallardo or Villanueva. However I think there is no chance of a deal with Vargas, Ballfour or even Inman at the center of the deal