Adam Jones said he hasn't heard from his representatives about any new contract extension proposals from the Orioles but isn't concerned by a lack of such talks, he tells Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Jones also isn't bothered by the other long-term deals being signed by young stars around baseball.
"You see it every day if you watch sports. You hear this guy signed, that guy signed. But that's a personal thing. That's an organizational call," said Jones. "It's not like the player can go up to the team and say, 'Hey, want to sign me?' I think it is an organizational call. If the organization wants you to be part of their future, they make that call.
"My side hasn't come to me, knocking down my phone, calling me, texting me. So that means nothing's in the works. Honestly, I've told my representatives to only hit me up if something is significant, because I am playing. The season has started."
Dan Duquette, the Orioles executive VP of baseball operations, said he visited with Nez Balelo, Jones' agent, during the club's recent road trip in Los Angeles. Nothing substantial appears to have been discussed, as Duquette said he met with both Balelo and several other agents simply to "keep a dialogue going" in regards to a number of different players. Duquette reiterated that he doesn't like to negotiate contracts during the season, believing it to be a distraction.
Last August, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes projected a Jones extension could fall in the range of four years and $40MM, though that would've entailed Jones and the O's agreeing to an extension that covered the 2012 season. Jones and the Orioles agreed to a one-year, $6.15MM deal for 2012 (Jones' second arbitration-eligible season) and tabled the extension talks, leaving Jones with one more arb-eligible year before hitting free agency after the 2013 campaign.
Through 16 games, Jones is on pace for his best offensive season (a .955 OPS in 69 plate appearances) and could significantly boost his asking price. Connolly thinks a Jones extension could be for six years and at least $75MM, making it the most expensive contract in Orioles team history. That type of so-called "franchise player" deal may be too much for Jones, in the opinion of one anonymous scout from another team.
"I like him a lot. He's a very good player. But will he be a great player? I don't know. He's still young, so maybe," said the scout. "But if you're going to give him franchise money, he has to be a great player. Someone will probably pay him like that regardless."
Jones said he enjoys playing in Baltimore, taking on extra responsibilities in the community as the team's only African-American player. If he and the O's haven't agreed to an extension by April 2013, however, Jones says he will test the free agent market.
"If I'm in the same situation next year (without an extension), I am going into my free-agent year. It would be hard to give up that right," Jones said.
Should have locked he and Wieters up this past offseason. Both going to be very expensive at this point. Id still lock up Wieters, but Jones probably needs to be dealt at the deadline if he stays anywhere near as hot as he is right now.
Not sure that they’re going to be much more expensive now than earlier this offseason. I agree with the scout quoted in the piece – you pay him as a good player, but if he wants great player money then you might have to let him go. Hopefully in a trade (unfortunately).
The point is, the closer he gets to free agency, the more he smells that big FA money. And the simple fact is, that other teams value him more than we do right now. He WILL get better offers on the open market. This offseason was our best bet to keeping him from exploring that. I think its a done deal now though as demand is high, and his confidence in his ability is likely at an all-time high. He must be traded.
Wieters will be in the very same boat this coming offseason, having won a gold glove last year, and finally coming into his own offensively this year. Lock him up before he requires a mammoth contract, or only accept a kings ransom for him.
I mean its a good point but its really futile to think about; Boras was never going to let Wieters extend that early.
wieters will extens when he pleases, regardless of agent. if he is smart, he’ll take caution to the type of things that can happen to large catches such as Mauer, and lock in a short term Arb-1/2 FA years for some real security, and then go for the big bucks if all is well. Holding out for monster dough right off the bat could be VERY risky for his position and body type.
Mauer is a bad comp since he did hold out for massive dough and got it.
Agreed. He’s going to want great player money….
Even if Jones leaves I am unsure as to where he would sign.
I doubt he would go back to the Mariners.
The Padres just extended Maybin.
Possible the Royals if Cain doesn’t work out, and I have been seeing Mitch Maier out there recently. The Phillies? Certainly not the Dodgers or Angels. Texas Rangers would be interesting if they don’t re-sign Hamilton.
The bottom line is unless something changes within our minor league system, there will be a gaping hole in our starting center field position if Jones decides to leave.
Pretty sure an above-average fielding 28 year old outfielder with 20 HR power and the ability to hit for a decent average probably isn’t going to lack places to sign. Two years from now who knows who will need an outfielder but someone certainly will. Today, he’d be an upgrade at one outfield position or another for nearly every team and that’s not likely to change in two years.
pretty much any team thats been linked to him or bj upton. also dont count out a position change to left or right. he wont be thrilled, but money talks.
nats, giants, dodgers (looking to spend), rangers, cards. im sure there would be many involved and willing to make other moves to make it happen.
He sounds like he really wants to be in San Diego, and im sure he’d scoot over to do it…however i dont see them paying for him.
He can go to the Giants, they are always desperate for offense!
Hahaha, you picked the wrong time to bust up on the Giant offense my fuzzy green friend. They beat up on the Mets pretty good last night to take the double header. Also, as a side note it was good to see the “Green Monster” take Manhattan last week!
PS Anyone notice that Jurrjens went on the DL last night? You know that pitcher the Braves wanted to send us for Jones.
Fine! If you don’t want him Boston will be glad to take him! Although Jones doesn’t really seem like a good fit in Boston and they have bigger holes to fill. The Braves should of traded Jurrjens when they could, he’s lost most of his value at this point.
The Mets would have interest.
6 years/$81MM seems like a very fair extension. $10MM next season plus a $1MM signing bonus, then $14MM annually through 2018.
Thing about the Orioles is that they can’t get any good FAs. If so, it makes sense to overpay to keep their own talent. I mean, the alternative is spending that money on a reliever or an over-the-hill slugger who will be a poor player. Why not keep your own guys and hope for better luck than they got with Roberts(chronically injured) and Kakes(regressed)?
They should of liked him writers and reminds once they het free agency there gone the orioles can’t spend.Also they need to look up markakis or he will leave to.Another possibility is to trade them