LAD signs Andruw Jones (2yr/36.2M)

[DuWayne Steurer]

This isn't a deal a bad deal for the Dodgers by any stretch. It's not like they can't afford it, and it's not like they're throwing a boat load of cash at a marginal player (ala Baltimore). Jones is a guy with a proven track record of success at the big league level who had one bad year. He may have lost a step, but he's still a plus defender, and I don't see him not being an asset in the field for at least 2 more years. He's 30, he's not 35 or 36. I think people tend to think of A. Jones as "old" because he's been in the league for quite a long while now, but he's probably got several years of good baseball in front of him yet if he bounces back from last year (which I would expect there's a very good chance of that happening)

[Brian the Automator]

I agree... It's a decent risk for the Dodgers. I don't believe for a second that he'll be as bad as he was last year, and it's just a 2-year commitment. He's only making like 5M a year more than Jose Guillen (and for 1 year less), and he still plays a wicked CF. This is a chance that the Dodgers could easily afford.

[Brawndo the Thirst Mutilat]

This deal, in a vacuum, is a pretty good one for the Dodgers. Somebody is likely to give Rowand somewhere around 15 mil a year for a minimum of 4 years, and anybody who would rather have Rowand than Jones probably ought to take a second look at both players 05 and 06 numbers. A 2 year deal with Jones doesn't have too much risk involved.

Unfortunately for Dodgers fans, the team already gave The Dumbest Contract in the History of Professional Athletics to CF Juan Pierre last year. And knowing Ned Colletti's vet-coddling tendencies from his halcyon days as Giants GM Brian Sabean's right-hand, and the natural human tendency to be thoroughly unable to admit our own mistakes, I doubt they'll do the right thing here to fix their outfield glut. They won't be able to trade Pierre, even if they eat most of his contract. They certainly won't DFA him and eat the entire contract, which is what I would do if I was them. So they'll likely be trading Ethier or Kemp from a disadvantaged bargaining position (they have to trade somebody...), and it is my sincere hope that Melvin is the lucky GM to benefit from Colletti's Proven Vet fixation.

[Patrick425]

I'm not saying that it's a horrible deal for LA. I'm just saying that the whole concept of someone getting paid more after having a bad year, doesn't sit well for me. I do understand that Jones is still relatively young and could very well bounce back to prior form.

[hauser42]

First, I'm disappointed because I really thought that Jones was coming to Milwaukee. 2nd, what is LA thinking? This seem a little desparate for the money just like the KC signing. If they are moving Either or Kemp then the return better be significant or I don't see the imporvement. 3rd, it'll be tough for Jones to rebound offensively playing in the Ravine. He should've gone to Houston or some place like that. He'll never see a 100 mil contract now. They should've ponied up 4 years with an option for Rowand.

Jones is a proven player, even if he doesnt match some of his past years. Kemp and Either may have bright futures but the Dodgers are catching a lot of heat to contend. A guy like Jones makes the defense better and the lineup deeper.

 

I read some where that Kemp was having some issues in the clubhouse last year so I could see him maybe be the guy they move. Kemp seems to be more of a toolsy guy that may never get to what people think he can be, Either seems to be a solid all around player but not sure he will be a perennial all star.

 

On Big Reeds comment about the Hall and Jones backing I would agree Jones has a better chance as he has not had just one year that made him look good.

[Fatter than Joey]

I don't see the imporvement. 3rd, it'll be tough for Jones to rebound offensively playing in the Ravine

 

I am sure he will outhit Pierre.

[sgtcluels]

I can out hit Pierre. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Wow Dodgers think they are the Yankees? Maybe Allissa Milano charmed Joe Toree into charming the management to spend big cash.

[Brawndo the Thirst Mutilat]

Sure Jones will outhit Pierre, but Pierre will still probably be an everyday player. It wouldn't be so bad to carry Pierre on the roster as a pinch-runner and 5th outfielder, I suppose, but there's next to no chance the Dodgers do that. They'll trade Kemp or Ethier. So the real question is will Jones outproduce the guy they trade, which is a bit trickier question.

 

Kemp's problems were primarily with Jeff Kent and Luis Gonzalez, which to me speaks very highly of his character. If I had to share the same clubhouse as those two, and playing time for me posed a threat to at least one of their livelihoods, I guarantee they'd hate me too.

[TooLiveBrew]

Better deal next year, Giambi or Jones?

 

At least Giambi draws BBs, but his health is an obvious concern, so it may well be a toss-up.

 

I don't think 2008 is going to be very kind to Andruw. That ballpark isn't exactly going to help his power numbers. It'll be a neat demonstration for the 'Where's his defense at?' debate, though. Roaming CF in Dodger Stadium is some ground to cover, for sure.

 

As far as the contract, it's a win-win for both sides. Way too much money for a club like ours to spend AAV, but for LAD, no biggie. I'd look for the Dodgers to dangle Ethier/Kemp + LaRoche now for Rolen or Tejada. If the Brewers really are working on that Cappy/Rolen deal, let's get movin', boys.

[monty57]

I'd much rather take a chance on a player who's had 6-7 great years followed by a bad year than on a player like Gary Matthews who had one good year, but an otherwise unspectacular career. Nothing's guaranteed, but Jones seems likely to rebound. The fifth highest salary in baseball is a little steep, but as has been said, the Dodgers have to compete for the World Series and they have the extra money to spend.

 

Add me to the Kemp/Ethier to Milwaukee bandwagon, although TLB is probably correct about Rolen/Tejada.

[Brian the Automator]

(sending anti-Pierre thoughts Melvin's way)

[DuWayne Steurer]

3rd, it'll be tough for Jones to rebound offensively playing in the Ravine

 

Over the last 3 years at least, Dodger Stadium has been playing as a hitter's park (PF 105), whereas Turner Field is slanted slightly towards the pitchers (PF 97).

[Ennder]

3rd, it'll be tough for Jones to rebound offensively playing in the Ravine

 

Over the last 3 years at least, Dodger Stadium has been playing as a hitter's park (PF 105), whereas Turner Field is slanted slightly towards the pitchers (PF 97).

 

Not to mention the fact a single bad year that is way off of your baseline at a normal age usually means a rebound the next season, not to mention I doubt he repeats the .242 BABIP. I'd be pretty surprised if he doesn't rebound to at least halfway between 2006 and 2007.

[TooLiveBrew]

Yea, Andruw's swing was pretty much gone in 2006, and he still hit 24 HR. That gives you a good idea of the power. He'll likely bounce back, but Andruw the Dodgers' coaching staff will have to get his swing back on track first.

[SoCalBrewfan]

I'm not a Dodgers fan really, but it's hard not to notice them living down here. I think this is a good deal for them in terms of the signing itself....it's a lot of money but money is not a limiting factor for a team like LA. (Or it shouldn't be...the owner has a rep as being very cheap, though.) Two years for a guy who was on a HOF track a year ago is a low-risk signing...if he turns it around they have a shot to extend him, but if not they have talent coming out their ears to use for filling holes.

 

The big issue of course is Pierre. It's good that Coletti didn't let last year's mistake prevent him from signing a good player, but the question of what they'll do with Pierre is obviously a big one, given the solid young talents they have in the OF. We'll see.

[davemakovec]

Four outfielders, three spots, Pierre and Jones locked into big contracts. That leaves Ethier or Kemp as the odd man out.

 

Go get 'im, Doug. Just stay away from Noodle-Arm/Bat, aka Juan Pierre.

[Riebes24]

sending anti-Pierre thoughts Melvin's way

 

My God yes. This is the first thing I thought of when I heard the Dodgers signed Jones. I bet Coletti was on the phone the next hour calling Doug to say Pierre is available, and hey, we might even pick up 6 Mil or so. Please, Doug, put down the phone. I can handle losing our closer and having to find a fix for theLF/3B problem from within, but I would be sick if we traded for Pierre.

[TooLiveBrew]

Juan Pierre - the first $9 mil./yr. pinch-runner in the history of baseball!

[brettac1]

I would have gladly given this deal to Jones. The Hunter deal was ridiculous, this is only two years. I really wish the Brewers would have gone in on this. It would have allowed them to move Hall to 3B and Braun to LF, plus buy them an extra year for LaPorta. But, oh well.

 

I'd say this is probably the best deal of the off-season to this point, as far as free agency goes.

[DHonks]

I completely disagree with Brett. All the discussions on Jones say that in the last few seasons he's lost several steps and is now far from his former self as a defender. Additionally, he really has just the one tool...power.

 

I like the Kendall and Riske signings much more than Andruw Jones

[brettac1]

THT has Jones #1 in the league (tied with Granderson) in RZR, and making the third most out of zone plays in CF (behind Ichiro and Granderson). He's still an elite defender.

 

His offensive numbers were just too far out of whack for me to think it's going to continue. Is he going to have another 50 HR season? No. But I'd bank on him hitting 30 or so next year, even in Chavez Ravine. He also has the tool of "patience", which the Brewers don't really have in abundance. He was at 4.0 P/PA last year, which is excellent.

 

I think the Kendall signing isn't going to go well at all. I think the Riske one probably won't be bad, but it's hard to compare them to signing a potential HOF CF in Jones. I actually would have liked to have gotten Jones instead of Rolen, just because it means not having to move other players in a deal, plus he's not coming off an injury and he's two years younger. Plus the commitment would have been shorter. A two year deal on him isn't that much of a risk, to me.

[MJLiverock]

So you can ignore Kendall's atrocious 2007? (refering to DHonks post above)

 

This plays right into Big Reed's comments. Everybody on the Brewers is going to rebound and everyone else in baseball overpaid for washed up talent. How many comments filled this board expecting Jenkins to have a career year in 2007 or even now comparing Jones to Jenkins. Or the Gross lovers who point to one good year in minor league ball versus a pretty mediocre at best MLB career and think he should start in the OF everyday.

 

I may sound a little bitter but this offseason is pretty disappointing so far. I wouldn't expect this Brewer team to win more than 85 games at best next year which will probably put them out of the playoffs again. The bullpen doesn't appear any better by losing Cordero and Linebrink while adding Riske. LF still looks like a hole with a Dillon/Gross mix.

 

Every mention of paying someone anything over $6MM seems to be met with cries of too much and hey look at this nugget we can get for half that and if the stars align and he has a career year he will be worth 75% of the legit studs at a position. Nobody ballks at spending $12MM a year on the likes of Kendall, Counsell and Mota or adding a scrub like Crede or Inge for another $6MM, tying up potentially $18MM a year in below average players. But if someone wants to spend $13MM on one player it isn't worth it. I'd trade the $12MM a year worth of Kendall, Counsell, Mota in a second for the similar salary of a Scott Rolen, heck David Ortiz and Carlos Beltran make $13MM a year and are considerably more valuable.

[cwolf2012]

Jones' defense is still good (9 FRAA), but not spectacular. A CF at 30 years old will not get better at defense, and will likely get worse every year from here out. He'll probably around average this year, maybe slightly better than average at defense, and worse the next year.

 

Jones still hits the ball hard and draws a fair share of walks, but he is not the same player he was before. He will probably bounce back this year at the plate and end up with a .280ish EqA, but that is hardly worth 18 million dollars. The Dodgers blew this one. I would expect nothing else from the team that signs Juan Pierre.

 

This deal is still about a million times better than the Angels signing Torii Hunter for 5 yrs/90 mil, though.

[TooLiveBrew]

So you can ignore Kendall's atrocious 2007?

This is from Brett's post, directly above yours:

 

I think the Kendall signing isn't going to go well at all.

?

[cwolf2012]

When someone told me we were going to pay Kendall 10 mil, I almost killed myself right on the spot. At 4.25 mil, he could be okay, but I just can't see him being too much better than a catcher in Triple A. At 1/10 of the cost, I'd rather have that.