Chipper Jones Rumors
By Zach Links [October 6, 2009 at 9:55pm CST]
The Atlanta Braves went 34-21 in the months of August and September. Unfortunately for them, their poor play early in the season meant that the playoffs were still out of reach. While their starting pitching was strong (Derek Lowe's underwhelming year not withstanding), their offense couldn't generate enough support. Chipper Jones had, arguably, the worst year of his career, posting an OPS of .818 - his lowest in nearly a decade-and-a-half. Jones' performance was a microcosm of the Braves' season as a whole: certainly not awful, but short of expectations. Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and the Insider Staff broke down...
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By Nat Boyle [September 20, 2009 at 11:28am CST]
The latest from John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus: The Cubs are trying to sign John Grabow and Reed Johnson before they reach free agency. Perrotto says those that know Chipper Jones believe he would actually retire after next season if he can't perform up to his standards. There's a possibility the Marlins will try to deal Josh Johnson this winter even though he won't be a free agent until after 2011. Johnson is not anticipated to take a hometown discount to stay in Florida. Perrotto expects Russell Branyan will re-sign with the Mariners before he reaches free agency. Seems like...
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By Tim Dierkes [September 17, 2009 at 3:15pm CST]
Chipper Jones has been talking a lot about his future lately, and today he was blunt when talking to the AP: "If I back up this year with the same kind of year next year, I don't want to play the game. The game is not fun to me when I'm not playing up to my standards." Jones does not blame his down year on injuries. It's only a disappointment by Chipper's standards, since his .390 OBP still ranks 14th in the NL. However, his .435 SLG would be a career-worst and he hasn't done much in August and September....
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By Tim Dierkes [September 16, 2009 at 11:50am CST]
Links for Wednesday... Chipper Jones explained his stance toward retirement to Tim Gunter of 790 The Zone. Braves manager Bobby Cox was noncommittal on 2010, talking to Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Amelia Rayno of the Detroit News notes that Magglio Ordonez's $15MM option for 2011 will vest with 1080 plate appearances between 2009 and 2010. Meanwhile Cot's Baseball Contracts reveals that 135 starts or 540 PAs in '10 will do the trick. ESPN's Buster Olney informed us yesterday about a potentially interesting free agent reliever named Mike Schultz. The former D'Backs minor leaguer has been tearing it...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [September 11, 2009 at 10:02am CST]
The frustration hadn't set in yet when Chipper Jones signed a three-year extension with the Braves this March. He had just won a batting title and his OPS had exceeded 1.000 for a second straight season. Now, Jones says he may retire before his contract expires, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I'm certainly not going to stick around for a big contract if I'm not having fun and not producing," Jones said. "I'm not saying I'm retiring at the end of this year or the end of next year, but if I become an average player, I'm...
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By Mike Axisa [June 20, 2009 at 12:16pm CST]
Some Saturday links... Furman Bisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says it's time for the Braves to put Chipper Jones on the market. The Tigers designated catcher Dane Sardinha for assignment to make room for righty Alfredo Figaro, according to CBSsports.com. Nick Canepa of The San Diego Union-Tribune writes that now is as good a time as any for the Padres to inject some youth into the team. In addition to first rounder AJ Pollock, Nick Piecoro reports that the Diamondbacks have announced the signing of four draft picks, including supplemental first rounder Mike Belfiore. CJ Nitkowski blogs that he and...
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By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2009 at 12:09pm CST]
12:09pm: The AP has contract details. It's a three-year, $42MM extension. Click the link for the incentive and option details. Given Jones' offensive abilities I consider this a good deal for Atlanta. TUESDAY, 8:30am: Bowman says Jones and the Braves have agreed to "a three-year extension worth over $40MM that includes an option for 2013." There's a news conference this afternoon. With Chipper signing, that's one less big bat on the 2010 free agent market. MONDAY: According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, Chipper Jones is close to an extension with the Braves that could keep him in Atlanta through 2013. An...
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By Tim Dierkes [March 6, 2009 at 12:23pm CST]
Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Chipper Jones' agent, B.B. Abbott. From Rogers: Abbott said Chipper has decided to loosen any expectation that he might have an extension worked out with the Braves by the end of spring training. Abbott said he’s willing to continue negotiating after the season starts. Placing an appropriate dollar value on Jones will not be easy. Factors include his amazing bat, ability to continue playing a credible third base, injury profile, and popularity.
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By Tim Dierkes [February 18, 2009 at 9:36pm CST]
9:36pm: C. Trent Rosecrans of 1530 Homer talked to Griffey's agent Brian Goldberg, who confirmed the deal. It was a difficult decision for Griffey, who spoke to Willie Mays and Hank Aaron before deciding. MLB.com's Jim Street has more on the Mays conversation. 8:55pm: Jerry Crasnick has a clarification on the financial details. Street's numbers were just a bit off. Griffey can only earn $2.5MM in incentives -- up to $4.5MM altogether. 8:14pm: Interesting tidbit from Mark Bowman: Sources have indicated that Griffey's tide turned shortly after he became upset with the fact that The Atlanta-Journal Constitution was reporting that...
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By Tim Dierkes [February 18, 2009 at 7:03pm CST]
7:03pm: According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Braves are hoping to lock Jones up "until he has reached a stage in his career when he could be contemplating retirement." That could mean several years. As Chipper said Wednesday, "I think I'm going to be as productive at 40 as I am now. You're not going to be as spry in the legs as you were when you were 25, but you can still be productive." 3:17pm: David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution fills us in on a possible Chipper Jones extension: Chipper and the Braves have made some progress toward...
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