Chipper Jones is no longer thinking about retiring before his contract expires, reports David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jones, 38, is under contract through 2012 and the Braves have a $7MM club option for 2013. After a disappointing 2009 season (at least by Jones' standards), Chipper said he didn't want to play if he wasn't producing at his usual level. Now, the third baseman is no longer contemplating retirement.
“I’m good,” Jones said. “I feel like I’m doing my job. There hasn’t been a point where I got in bed and couldn’t sleep because I’m worried about what’s going on."
Jones has a .230/.402/.368 line so far this year and while his slugging percentage has dropped for a third consecutive season, Jones points to his league-leading 25 walks. Those free passes have kept his on base percentage near his career average, so Jones is content to keep playing. The 17-year veteran is set to make $28MM in 2011-12.
“The 17-year veteran is set to make $28MM in 2011-12 .”
One would think that would be enough to put the retirement talk to rest.
Hopefully the power will come around.
I think that chipper should have ridden off into the sunset after last year. Imagine what we would look like right now if we had been able to use the money that he is being paid to have signed younger talent this past offseason. I have loved watching him play for a very long time and I would love to see him stay connected to the franchise as a coach (possibly a replacement for TP??) but i definitely think that it would be better for the franchise if he does retire this year…
I totally disagree with him retiring next year. Look at free agency for this up coming offseason, he can put up the same numbers, if not better numbers than about 95% of those guys, and there is really no in house, big time player to take over for him for a few more years. Infante is the utility player, so that eliminates him from playing 3rd full-time. Hicks and Conrad are also utility players, so no one can take over for him. If they would move Prado over to 3rd, Chipper can match or beat any numbers any free agent 2nd-baseman can put up. Him retiring is not an opinion until after the 2011, at minimum.
Depending on how Glaus plays for the rest of the season I would be happy to see him resigned for a 1 year deal and moved to third. This opens first for Freddy Freeman to come up next season. Not to mention this gives us some money to use to start talking about signing Heyward or Hanson to an Evan Longiria-esque deal. This just seems like it makes the best sense from a long term point of view…more than just next season anyways…
Obviously we aren’t going to agree, so I will stop this before it turns into an argument and we both get banned.
Lol :) I wasn’t trying to argue just a little intellectual discussion.
Good to hear Chip, but if you going to stay, then you got to lead. Get that power swing back and take over the batting practices. I remember players saying you were real good at helping them figure out their swings a few years back, well then use that keen eye of yours and help the guys find a groove. You got to be better than TP…
You the man Chip, but you got to start being the leader of this team if we gonna send Bobby out with a bang.
Not sure about the lack of power, but his BABIP of .247 [career .316] and low SO totals [12 in 112 PA] tells me that Chipper has been a little unlucky and that it will probably turn around.
This is, of course, putting regression via age aside.
he was probably hungry. he was acting like a diva and somebody gave him a snickers….those commercials are funny!!
All always want you on the team chip until the day you retire Mr. Face of Franchise.
Good to hear Chip, always will be my favorite player, but dude if you coming back you’ve got to lead. Get those guys hitting Chip!
Chipper is a true gentleman, and hitter. When he retires he will have a long and storied career to talk about. One of my favorite players ever.
Eh, he is still as injury prone as ever and it will only get worse as he gets older
all I can say is I hope that cuban shortstop we signed turns out awesome at third base.