TUESDAY, 9:08pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the two sides are not far apart, and it's possible that they'll be able to close the deal tomorrow. Scott Boras will be at Yankee Stadium for Rafael Soriano's introductory press conference in the morning.
MONDAY, 12:18pm: The Yankees are nearing a one-year deal with Andruw Jones, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (on Twitter). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported earlier today that the Yankees were balking at Jones' current asking price and maintained interest in Johnny Damon. Scott Boras represents Damon and Jones.
The Yankees were looking for an outfielder who can hit lefties and can handle left and center field. Outfielders Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner both bat from the left side, so Jones, a right-handed hitter, could spell them against tough southpaws. He has an .863 OPS against lefties in his career, including a .931 mark in 2010. The 33-year-old hit 19 homers for the White Sox last year, playing all three outfield positions.
The Rays had interest in Jones, but ranked him behind other free agents, according to Rosenthal. The Braves and Rockies also showed some interest in Jones this offseason.
BravesRed
Wren did not offer him a contract. Wren, your first dumb move of the offseason.
Green_Monster
Dumb? Maybe he is going to look for a less expensive OF. He is not the dumb one.
Jeff
Hairston’s a better fit since he can play SS in a pinch. My chief worries with the Braves lineup this year are finding a decent CF out of the three-headed monster named Young/Schaefer/McLouth (odds are fairly good one will beat what happened last year), and what happens if A-Gon gets hurt. (I have a feeling he’s going down this year for some reason)
Hairstron provides insurance for both of those, even if it is replacement level. None of the Braves current options for backup SS have proven themselves to be replacement level
Green_Monster
Exacly, the Braves should go for a Bill Hall type player, who can play almost every postition if needed
Goldberg365
Hicks or Diory could at least hold down the fort until they could make a trade.
unbiasedhomer
Hicks or Diory would burn the fort down. I’d rather trot out Rafael Ramirez at whatever his age is than either of those two.
unbiasedhomer
Hicks or Diory would burn the fort down. I’d rather trot out Rafael Ramirez at whatever his age is than either of those two.
Goldberg365
Hicks or Diory could at least hold down the fort until they could make a trade.
johnsilver
Alfredo Amezaga might still be looking for a job. he got seriously hurt cpl years back and no idea if he’s even still in the LAD organization? But a minor league deal is possible and he plays every position except P/C.
Green_Monster
His name is cool, they should give him a shot
johnsilver
He is a blast to watch also, doesn’t have to play even. Twirls towels in the dugout and when he was on the Fish one of the biggest overall cheerleaders they had.
Green_Monster
His name is cool, they should give him a shot
coolstorybro222
there was a reason we released him.
BravesRed
If you mean Braves, then you’re wrong. He was a free agent, and went to the Dodgers on a 2/37 million contract. If you mean Dodgers, then that is a different story.
Jonathan
andruw jones he will be a good back up only aganist lefties is when he will play
Joe
Yoda?
zach_puke
i wish i could like this more than once
andrew
Andruw Jones is done! What an awful signing. If we want a 4th outfielder, why not sign Scott Podsednik? He is 34, fast, decent fielder and a .300 hitter. Andruw Jones is a 200 hitter. This is just like signing kevin brown, randy johnson but in this case it is an outfielder. This is a dumb, desperate move by the Yankees.
dancinbubs
because podsenik bats lefty. he had a .639 OPS against lefties. Jones hit .931. Signing Podsednik would make no sense. You’d just be getting an older Gardner.
Neil
They already have enough laft handed outfielders
Neil
They already have enough laft handed outfielders
Kickme Inthenads
I’m gonna go get the papers, get the papers.
The_Silver_Stacker
goodfellas reference?
PennMariner
Andruw Jones can still absolutely rake against left-handed pitching. He can also play the corner outfield positions respectably unlike Pods, who is an embarrassment in all three outfield spots. Oh, and Jones actually fulfills a need for the Yankees, whereas Podsednik would be an unnecessary addition.
Andruw Jones in 107 games (2010): 1.8 WAR
Scott Podsednik in 134 games (2010): 0.4 WAR
YanksFanSince78
So you’re comparing a 1 year deal for a back up OF who will probably earn under $4 mil to that of a late 30’s early 40’s SP expected to pitch 200 innings and being paid upwards of $10 mil per on a multi year deal? Not a good comparison. I would’ve prefered Lastings Milledge myself, but Jones can probably do a decent job for what he’s being asked to do.
andrew
Andruw Jones is done! What an awful signing. If we want a 4th outfielder, why not sign Scott Podsednik? He is 34, fast, decent fielder and a .300 hitter. Andruw Jones is a 200 hitter. This is just like signing kevin brown, randy johnson but in this case it is an outfielder. This is a dumb, desperate move by the Yankees.
Dylan Zane
Great job getting this guy, I think we still need a utility infielder, and then we should be fine… unless we can use Nunez there with Martin at 2b/3b if it’s really needed.
Bench
Jones OF
Cervelli C
Nunez IF
Martin C/2b/3b
Green_Monster
You want to have 3 catchers on 25 man roster? Cervelli, Martin and Montero? I thoguth the yankees would go with Jones-Montero-Nunez- and a Bill Hall type player (That can also slide to the number 4 spot in the rotation)
Sean Ryan
montero isn’t on the 25 man roster
Sean Patrick O'Leary
montero isn’t on the 40 man either. he’s probably gonna start the season in SWB, but depending on performance (his and martin’s), he may be called up sometime in the middle of the year. no reason bringing him up and stunting his development while he sits on the bench.
Sean Patrick O'Leary
montero isn’t on the 40 man either. he’s probably gonna start the season in SWB, but depending on performance (his and martin’s), he may be called up sometime in the middle of the year. no reason bringing him up and stunting his development while he sits on the bench.
Green_Monster
My bad, 4 catchers on 25 man roster if you count Posada who will catch minimum….. Martin-Montero-Cervilli-Posada
jwredsox
That’s if you can actually refer to Montero as a catcher without a slight chuckle.
Green_Monster
My bad, 4 catchers on 25 man roster if you count Posada who will catch minimum….. Martin-Montero-Cervilli-Posada
ultimate913
I’m all for getting JHJ again. Right-handed and can play all outfield and infield positions? Yes, please.
East Coast Bias
I give up. Who is JHJ?
Dylan Zane
Jerry Hairston Jr
East Coast Bias
Oh, I should have known that one!
East Coast Bias
Oh, I should have known that one!
Dylan Zane
Jerry Hairston Jr
Nickkk
Martin is starting Catcher… i honestly like the bench of ..
Andruw Jones OF
Cervelli C
*Jerry Hairston Jr – Utility (everywhere)
Nunez
Yankees added:
RHP Rafael Soriano
OF Andruw Jones
Yankees should add:
RHP – starter Justin Duschscherer
IF / OF – Jerry Hairston Jr.
Dylan Zane
Agree with everything you said except I think Montero should get the starting job if he plays well in ST.
dancinbubs
Makes no sense. And makes no cents. All the recent top prospects (with the exception of Heyward) get called up in late May. You keep them for an extra arbitration year that way. Montero starts the year in AAA. If he starts AAA the way he finished it last season, the Yankees make a spot on the field for him in late May or June.
dancinbubs
Makes no sense. And makes no cents. All the recent top prospects (with the exception of Heyward) get called up in late May. You keep them for an extra arbitration year that way. Montero starts the year in AAA. If he starts AAA the way he finished it last season, the Yankees make a spot on the field for him in late May or June.
Dylan Zane
fair point, but the yankees have said he will get a chance to win the job out of ST.
dancinbubs
The Yankees SAY a lot of things. “We will not surrender our 1st round draft pick for Soriano” being the latest. Not saying it’s impossible for him to make opening day roster, but with the Martin signing, they DID something. He’ll start in AAA unless there’s some horrific injury – Tex or ARod or Martin or Posada go down, and they decide to shift things around.
YanksFanSince78
How would Arod going down effect Montero? He can’t play 3B and I doubt they would move Martin there even if he has played there in the past.
dancinbubs
you’re right. I was thinking about the possibility of Martin covering 3B, but I forgot about Laird down in the minors, and that Nunez played a good amount of 3B last year. Arod going down wouldn’t affect Montero, my bad.
YanksFanSince78
I wouldn’t use Martin anywhere other than @ catcher. Nunez and/or Pena can play 2b, SS and 3B. Depending on what happens with Joba (starter or reliver) the Yanks will probably go with 6 or 7 bullpen guys and 4 or 5 bench players. Figure the bench will be a 4th OF, back up C and my guess is, 2 infielders (Nunez and Pena). If they go with 5 then my guess they’ll wait until they bring up Montero and go with 3 catchers (Martin, Cervelli and Montero).
Big Time Mike
You can’t judge the signing until you hear a dollar amount. If he gave him the kind of money that he gave Nick Johnson, then this deal sucks.
Sean Ryan
they gave nick johnson a 1 year/$5 million… that wouldn’t be dumb.
Nickkk
I can see 1 year @ $5 million with incentives?
Green_Monster
But how did Nick Johnson work out?
Dylan Zane
He’s a piece of glass, Andruw Jones is not.
venn177
Yeah Andruw Jones is more like a piece of flab.
venn177
Yeah Andruw Jones is more like a piece of flab.
Dylan Zane
He’s a piece of glass, Andruw Jones is not.
Sean Ryan
they gave nick johnson a 1 year/$5 million… that wouldn’t be dumb.
Green_Monster
Ment for Joe
Amazing808s
I have a feeling Kevin Long can fix Andruw Jones bat. I have no doubts!
Green_Monster
I don’t know if he can fix it, but he can defenitly make it “Long”er
John Stefan
Can Kevin Long shut down all the buffets in the NYC area?
MB923
CC and Joba would make sure that don’t happen.
Green_Monster
Crap it doesnt let me edit
MB923
Might depend on what browser you use. I use Firefox
Green_Monster
Oh, I use Internet Explorer, I can click on edit, but I can’t click in the box
Green_Monster
Oh, I use Internet Explorer, I can click on edit, but I can’t click in the box
MB923
Might depend on what browser you use. I use Firefox
$5474103
I’m just glad that jones isn’t playing for the dodgers anymore. What a clusterf*** that deal was.
$5474103
I’m just glad that jones isn’t playing for the dodgers anymore. What a clusterf*** that deal was.
Brent VanLiew
Kevin Long fixes all! Has anyone heard a single disparaging remark ever made about him? The guy has the Midas Touch.
venn177
Seems like he’s turning into the Dave Duncan of hitting coaches.
Redsox1324
Who did Kevin Long need to necessarily “fix”?
Mark S
He fixed Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher, and Curtis Granderson.
jwredsox
How exactly did he “fix” Nick Swisher? His batted ball stats were the same as his career levels, and his overall peripherals were the same except for BB% which went down. The only difference was that he had more luck in 2010 on BABIP otherwise he isn’t much different from his career (outside of the year he was on the White Sox). Don’t confuse significant improvement with luck. And I’m also unsure on how he fixed Gardner.
The_Silver_Stacker
Especially the worked he has done with Nick Swisher this past year, less moving parts at the plate and the guy puts up his best overall year, his batting average went way up compared to before.
pastlives
i hope he gets a good number of ABs, it’d be cool to see him hit 500 HR after the massive collapse it looked like his career was headed towards.
Threat_Level_RedSox
He didnt have a collapse he had a expansion.
went9
If Jones shows up at camp in as good of shape as he did last year it is a solid signing. If he put the weight back on then I will not fear Andruw Jones.
Green_Monster
Him and CC could go into weight loss programs together
went9
Jones lost the weight last off season and it paid dividends for him. I’ve read that Sabathia has lost over 20 lbs already this off season. He may be a force to be reckon with this year.
Chris Passmore
I say 1 year/3 million.
Chris Passmore
I say 1 year/3 million.
ilovetheyankees
I see a year deal at three million for Jones.
jakep
to me it looks like andruw is headed back up to a mid 30 HR season, man i wish the braves got him, would of fit perfectly.
Dylan Zane
In that ballpark it’s possible, but he probably won’t get enough playing time.
-C
He’s not even going to play in enough games to hit 30 HR…he’s a 4th OF/PH/DH type (and the Yankees have made it clear that Posada will be the primary DH). He’s probably not starting unless it’s a tough lefty on the mound.
-C
ea19
Why??? Do you have insight on him using HGH lately??? He will probably only play against Left-Handed pitching…..30+ hrs would be a ridiculous amount
David Kocina
Andruw Jones… man what a great baseball player. Okay it didnt work out L.A. but this guy has been solid everywhere else and will be a great role player for the Yankees. He will be dropping bombs in the new Yankee Stadium like he did in the old one at the age of 19.
LifeLongYankeeFan
For a 4th outfielder he can hit hrs and drive in rbis and play average defense at least not a bad signing if its for a few million. The average and Ks aren’t great but nobodies perfect.
YanksFanSince78
I think what he is saying that if Burnett can have just an “ok” year he would keep the Yanks in good enough of a position to win 18-20 games in which he’s the starter. I think we would all be happy if AJ could post a 200 IP/4.00 ERA/1.30 whip.
Chris Barrows
I don’t think AJ will have anywhere near as bad of a year as he did last year. An ERA between 3.75 and 4.20 is likely, but he could still win 15-17 games with the Yankees.
flyswater
alli can say watch andews play for the braves he not gettin any younger good ball player defense wise can play the outfield with the best, put on pin strips usually some thing happen wat&see.
Rabbitov
Always thought Andruw was a nice guy, hate to see him go to the evil empire
Charles D
I hate to see your mom go to the evil empire.
Rabbitov
me too
chase
All i can say is i have no respect for andruw if he signs with the pinstripes… Ill take your photos off the wall….
Steelslayer
THE signining of off season…the balance of power in the East has swung back to the Bronx. I am sure this will save their season and keep the playoff hopes alive.
robuss76
He is listed @ 6’1 170lbs…really?
disgustedcubfan
Yes, in high school.
Steelslayer
Well done Rabbitov…i swear when i saw you response to that monkey i laughed out loud
okbluejays
It would be a solid signing, as he’ll provide some OF depth and can hit lefties well, which will help out with Granderson and Gardner who aren’t the best against Lefties. He can also still play solid defense, especially in the corners. I wouldn’t call it a great signing or anything, but i’m sure Jones will definitely earn his money, which i’m assuming won’t be more than 3mil.
0bsessions
Yankee Stadium favors lefties (See Damon, Johnny), it’s not going to make much of a difference in Jones’ home run numbers.
pmc765
Nothing against Andruw, he’s a median fourth outfielder, it’s not crazy to sign him.
But this Yankee team is not the Yankees. I doubt it would win the AL Central or AL West. It has a pedestrian outfield with no offensive star. Cano and Tex are stars, Jeter and ARod are ex stars, so the infield is the strength of the team. No catcher, but few teams have one. The rotation can’t prop up this collection, and the back end of the bullpen is only useful with leads.
I predict the AL wild card won’t come from the East.