Andruw Jones' Braves Career Over

How about Mark Kotsay?

He's had some injury problems over the last few years, but he still plays a mean CF defensively. He has experience in the NL East with FLA and is pretty solid with the bat. He isn't gonna be a HR threat like the Braves are used to, but his value is at a career low.

If Atlanta could get him at a cheap enough price, why not? He only has one year left on his contract and could be a perfect fit in regards to Jordan Schafer's development.

Just thought I would remind everyone that Mike Hampton earns 15 million dollars in 2008.

What are the odds that he makes 15 starts this year?

Could they look into signing someone like a Corey Patterson? I don't know what kind of deal he'd be seeking, but if you can get him on a 2yr or 3yr deal then that wouldn't be bad.

Most players who choose Boras as an agent have that as their primary concern, I would think.

The Arod thing should be interesting, because I _don't_ think that's his primary concern.

Anyway, good for the Braves. Boras is going to look like a fool when Jones signs for less than his "starting point."

I've got no problem with Boras, but still it would be nice to see him fail once in awhile. I think there are no shortage of stupid MLB teams for that to happen though.

Is it possible that the owners ban together and form their own little union to ban against Boras and refuse to deal with him unless he's willing to be reasonable?

I'm tired of baseball economics being so lopsided and the CBA moves forward so slowly

"I've got no problem with Boras, but still it would be nice to see him fail once in awhile."

He did, with Dice-k and A. Jones' last contract.

Nice call **SpeedChaser9** on Mark Kotsay, he would be perfect... Only problem I see is that (I think) he is due to make $12Mil+ in 2008, and there is no way the Braves could afford that (at least from what I've been reading). I wonder if (he by himself) would be worth Renteria?

Here is another option that again will probably be much more likely because of strong ties, david Dejesus coming to atlanta for a package such as martin prado and blaine boyer. That type of deal is much more probable, because dayton moore really likes braves prospects. If you want proof, when he traded dotel to us and got kyle davies in return, he went that route instead of possibly during a trade with seattle to get wladimir balentin. Dejesus is still a fairly cheap option whom the braves can bat at the top or bottom of the order and can be productive. He, again, comes a less than half the price of kotsay and far less prone to injuries. And even though I love the idea, the braves are not getting joe blanton unless they offer up yunel and jo-jo reyes. Beane will only trade blanton, who is 27 for pieces that are younger, so renteria will not do it. The braves best is choice dejesus, even over crisp because it would probably cost us more to get crisp. And with dejesus in center, we can then take that money and sign another pitcher. If no trade happens, i say mike cameron comes our way for a 2 year deal at 8 mill per, but he will probably want a 3 year 30 million dollar deal.

My money is on Mike Cameron ending up in Atlanta. He's a native and he won't cost nearly as much as Andruw or Hunter. Forget about Kotsay, for Atlanta or any other team. Physically, he's done as an everyday player. My 64-year-old father has a healthier back than Kotsay. If Billy Beane can actually convince another GM to take him as an everyday guy, we might as well hand Beane 2008 Exec of the Year honors now.

Hey, wait a minute, put that phone down, Neal Huntington! Put it down! No! Bad rookie GM!

mraver,

They are not going to offer arbitration, if the braves said they are parting ways, and especially this soon aftter the season was over, then that means they had made up their mind long ago that andruw was not going to be a piece of the 2008 puzzle. The reason being is that even in arbitration, the braves would still have to pay andruw far more than he is to this team. His main strength is power, and for a team like the padres or dodgers, he may worth 15 million or so, as he would provide them with the power they need. The braves really do not need any more power, we need a high average glove guy who can make contact and be an asset on the bases, which is why i think a david dejesus trade is the best way to go. But no, andruw jones has played his final game as a brave.

The money is not well spent with Andruw. Letting him go is hard, but necessary. They need to find a stop-gap until Schaefer is ready (2009?). Let Jones walk, collect a few draft picks for him, and allow someone else to watch his body fall apart as he gave EVERYTHING he had in a Braves uni.

Fine, someone explain to me how andruw jones is worth the 12 mill or more dollars he would get from arbitration with the braves

Don't they need to offer him arbitration if they want draft pick compensation?

Hmmm... where would the Braves get a dirt cheap CF that's all glove and no pop? How about Gregor Blanco?! The guy has certainly fits the bill and has paid his dues. Sure, he dropped off some this full year in AAA, but he's still young, is only a year removed from a .400 OBP year split between AA and AAA and he certainly has plenty of upside (minus the power). Screw wasting money on a stop-gap CF or an overpaid star coming off a career year!

"Hmmm... where would the Braves get a dirt cheap CF that's all glove and no pop?"

Corey patterson is a very good and underrated glove, and a little pop too. He has a ton of speed, and can probably be had on a two year contract, three at the most. He is from Atl....I think this just makes sense. Then they can focus on moving Edgar for a SP.

andruw jones does not deserve that type of money. there is no way you'd pay 20 mil a season for a good glove. i hope that no team really chases after jones for that price, because that would really send the market value for other more productive outfielders through the roof. the braves are wise to just let him go and pocket the money...they have a good farm system and could use the money to address other needs.