It’s been widely reported that Adam Jones exercised his 10-and-5 rights to veto a trade that would’ve sent him from Baltimore to the Phillies shortly before the non-waiver trade deadline, and Jones publicly confirmed as much in an interview with Sara Perlman of MASNsports.com on Facebook Live today (video link). Asked about the decision to do so, Jones gave a thoughtful and elaborate response:
“It just wasn’t right for me. I was playing center field at the time, and they wanted me to go play right field and platoon. That was the situation there, and it’s understandable. That’s how their roster was constructed, and that’s National League ball — double-switch and all that kind of stuff. … It wasn’t the right move for me, especially going into free agency. I’m not going into free agency looking like I’m [Nolan] Arenado, [Manny] Machado or [Bryce] Harper — obviously not — but I want to continue to create and maintain my stock. Going there to platoon, obviously in a good environment, a winning environment, would’ve hurt me in the long run. If I was 36, 37, a little older and toward the end of it all, of course — that would’ve been a very ideal and smart move, because it’d make sense. … I wish the Phillies the best, because I believe they have a really good team.”
Jones went on to discuss his upcoming foray into free agency — the first time at any point in his career that he’ll hit the open market. While he stated at multiple times that his preference is to play center field, he ultimately acknowledged, “Whoever wants me to run around [in the outfield] for them, whether it’s center, right, left, I could care less. I just want to play.”
The defensive alignment may or may not prove to be a deciding factor for Jones, but it’ll be a definite factor in which clubs opt to pursue the 33-year-old and in the types of offers he receives. Defensive metrics have been harsh on Jones’ work in center field for the past few seasons, and his right-field work hasn’t generated favorable reviews, either (-7 Defensive Runs Saved, -2.6 Ultimate Zone Rating in 210 innings). Jones notes that changing positions midseason has been more difficult than having a full offseason and Spring Training to get used to the different angles and reads that come with the move, though, and voices confidence that he could adjust in 2019 and beyond if need be.
Asked about his priorities in free agency, Jones said he “for sure” wants to sign with a winning club that can provide the “opportunity to play for something special.” That would seem to take the rebuilding Orioles largely out of the picture, making it increasingly likely that the O’s will go with a youthful outfield mix into 2019. While they club could add a veteran bridge at some point, prospects like Cedric Mullins and DJ Stewart figure to have ample opportunity to win playing time for themselves next year.
As for Jones himself, he’ll head into free agency at a difficult time. While he was a star-caliber player from 2012-15, his 2018 season hasn’t approached those heights. He’s hitting .285/.316/.427 thus far, giving him a roughly league-average batting line while trying to adapt to a new outfield slot. There’s some reason for optimism that his offense can rebound, as his strikeout rate is a career-low 15.1 percent after tonight’s game, and his exit velocity in 2018 is actually considerably higher than it was in 2017 (86.6 mph vs. 88 mph). Similarly, Statcast credits Jones with a 2.5 percent increase in his hard-contact rate.
But Jones will also be older than many of his free-agent peers — he’ll turn 34 next August — and he’ll hit free agency at a time when corner bats have struggled to generate significant interest both in trades and in free agency. Corner outfielders with shakier defensive reputations simply haven’t commanded significant investments unless they come with elite bats, which isn’t the case for Jones. He’ll also be part of a crowded group of outfielders, with Bryce Harper, A.J. Pollock, Michael Brantley, Andrew McCutchen and Nick Markakis among the names hitting free agency.
On top of that, free agency in general was a brutal reality check for many players last season, as the market yielded very few contracts that would’ve aligned with historically-based expectations. Among the second tier of outfielders last winter, veterans like Jon Jay ($3MM) and Carlos Gonzalez ($5MM) each settled for fairly disappointing one-year deals, though Jay Bruce still managed to get a contract that generally aligned with expectations (three years, $39MM). The very fact that multiple clubs tried to trade for Jones this past July is indicative that he’ll surely generate interest — but it probably won’t be at the price point most would’ve expected a few years ago.
“Whoever wants me to run around [in the outfield] for them, whether it’s center, right, left, I could care less.”
So he does care, at least a little.
I hate being a grammar, well you know, but I grind my teeth every time I hear or read that. They are saying the complete opposite of what they mean.
If you hate being that guy. Don’t be that guy.
Touche.
There are certain grammar things that I feel we should let go. “I could care less” is not one of them. Don’t feel bad
Agreed.
I didn’t feel bad, just thought he made a good remark to my word usage.
I could feel worse
wish the Orioles would try to resign Adam he is a fan favorite and a good player and leader
And he would blocked the young outfielders with upside.
Why would the Orioles try to make Jones resign when he’s a fan favorite? That doesn’t even make sense.
Re-sign, guy
I wish the Orioles would sign Jones because I want to see them lose 120 games next year.
They will figure out to lose that many either way!
121 would be better
I think jones would be a fine defensive left fielder. Give him the offseason to adjust to the position and he’ll be alright. His offense will at minimum be average. I think he believes he’ll get more than he’s really going to though.
Carlos Gonzalez disappointing deal? Weren’t the Rockies ridiculed for paying him for past, not present skill-set?
No, because his deal only came with a $5M guarantee.
No, they were criticized because people felt they had too many lefty outfielders without CarGo. People felt that David Dahl and/or Raimel Tapia were ready for full time big league gigs. The FO seemed like they had moved on.
After the offseason of being unsigned, Arenado told the FO that he wanted CarGo back because the clubhouse didn’t feel right without him. 2 days later, the FO re-signed CarGo to a deal far lower than what he was expecting. He did not get what he was expecting, therefore it was a bit of a disappointing contract for him.
Wow 4 comments and I’ve yet to read a comment that about how someone doesn’t understand 10/5 rights.
To me Adam would be better off on the Phillies. If Baltimore decides they’re moving on from him they could’ve sat him out the rest of the season and played younger guys. It’s their right just as it was his to stay in Baltimore. Now turns out the O’s are still playing him regularly so I guess he probably made the right decision in hindsight given the Phillies struggles.
Jones in my opinion this winter is going to have a rough time. He might have to accept a platoon role early in the offseason just to guarantee himself a good spot.
The Mets love old corner types. He can give nimmo and Conforto.
1 year 5 mil.
I agree…he will have a rough time like Logan did. I see him as the next Nick Marcakas. A serviceable player but not a star.
1 yr tops 9 mill
Or a
3 yr 25mill contract
He may be worth more but not at this yrs market.
However “Markakis” was an All-Star this year. Seen his numbers lately?
This year was his only all-star bid. Hes the age of 34, he’s always been solid player but not a standout. Jones production is heading downward to however he’s still solid.
Try looking at production as an overall next time rather than a 1x all-star nod.
no worries the Giants will sign him to a multi year contract. They love signing over the hill players that are average and pay them top dollar.
He’s got an outside shot at 3,000 hits if he has about 3 more average years. If that happens, he’s got a shot at the Hall of Fame.
Who has a shot at 3000 hits and the hall of fame. It surely is NOT Jones or Markaikas.
Markakis has 2230 hits at age 34. He never gets hurt, averages around 180 hits/year. He definitely has a shot at 3000 hits. He would be a good test case as the first 3000 hit guy to not make the Hall.
Um, Markakis signed for 4 years/$44 million. I’m sure Jones would be thrilled if he was the next Nick Markakis.
Completely understandable POV, and very reasonably laid out.
If I was 36, 37, a little older and toward the end of it all, of course — that would’ve been a very ideal and smart move, because it’d make sense
So it was all about him playing CF…smh
AJ10 is a waste of my time, I shall not miss him or the others that leave in free agency
Enough is enough
PS I wish the AJ10 the best, because I believe he is a really good player and wish him all the happiness in the world when he joins another team next year.
Was about playing a different position and not wanting to platoon. It wasn’t a risk he was willing to take heading into free agency. I don’t think you can blame the guy for that!
I agree with you. Add to that fact he also is having a reality check with his ability. Father Time is undefeated. He’s patrolled our CF for a long time. Being told that we don’t need you or we want you to move is hard on anyone.
If your boss came in and said we want you to go work on the other side of town with our competitor, that’s heart wrenching. Them asking you to work in the mail room is hard to hear when you’ve been in the corner office.
Take money out of the above scenario, and we all have ego/pride we have to deal with.
Personally, we should keep him as a mentor. His leadership is invaluable. C. Davis is horrible at the plate, field or leadership.
It is Jones’ right as a 10/5 player to refuse the trade. The way he handled it by telling Orioles’ fans to basically go screw themselves is also his right, but it was wrong and will be his legacy. A true team leader is willing to switch positions, platoon, bunt, learn to lay off a low and away non-strike, etc. Jones is not a leader. He was and remains a very selfish ball player. He was elevated in the Orioles fan base to greatness status instead of just good, just like Markakis, because the O’s lacked superstar power.
I also cannot stand the analogy of comparing having a high level job and being demoted to the mail room to being moved from CF to RF in MLB. There is no similarity or comparison that works for this one. A decent analogy would be a company giving a high level employee who embezzled from the company a second chance by starting again in the mailroom and paying the company back since Jones has stolen money from the O’s for years with his average batting and below average defense.
Then you are not an O’s fan. Adam is what was right about Orioles baseball.
I have a feeling that the 10/5 rights will be on the table for duscussion during the next CBA. There are so many teams like the Orioles right now that have aging talent that they would love to unload but the players ability to veto that trade with his 10/5 puts them in baseball purgatory. I would propose in the next CBA there be a “buyout” clause where you can allow the club to give the player a one time buyout in order to waive their 10/5.
There’s nothing wrong with 10/5 rights. Teams know when they’re coming up and can trade the player before. if they don’t, they have no one to blame but themselves when a player has spent that much time in one place and doesn’t want to leave
Again, for the sake of baseball’s competitive balance there should be more options for teams to unload these players.
There is….don’t sign them in the first place…duh
Wow let’s just get rid of free agency all together. Players don’t deserve rights.
For the sake of competitive balance they should give away 10 and 5 rights? That’s about the dumbest thing I’ve heard. Get rid of the player before that opportunity presents itself if you’re that concerned. The orioles easily could’ve dealt Jones this offseason but we thought we could compete. That’s the price he orioles are deservedly paying.
Why don’t you also tell teams to call up players when they’re ready? I bet you have no issue with that manipulation of service time, huh? It kills me how many “Everyday people” quickly side with billionaires when it comes to these issues
No Union is stronger than MLBPA. Zero chance they give anything back, much less 10/5.
Wahoo What a Finish!….When was the last time you saw the MLBPA give up an earned right? There are certain things that will never go away (as stated by many MLBPA heads) …guaranteed contracts, and 10/5 rights are just two of them. You will also never see a firm cap. As joeflaccosunibrow pointed out “No Union is stronger than MLBPA.”
Every CBA I’m always on the owners side. With that said 10/5 rights isn’t a problem. Teams should trade the player like the rays did with Longoria if they thought for a second it is going to be a problem going forward.
Jones isn’t even a good example of this being a problem. A better example is a small market team who is a contender and has their franchise player going into their 10th year and has them locked up for a couple more years at like 15+ mil where the age curve could make the deal look really bad or good. I don’t think there’s been any good examples of that situation yet.
Jones wasn’t having a great year and he’s a free agent who wasn’t going to bring a prospect back that anyone has heard of.
I wouldn’t mind having Adam Jones, Michael Brantley or to a lesser degree Markakis on a one or two year deal with the Pirates next season. Any of them could start the year in left field until Polanco is ready to go in May or June then Dickerson could be the 4th outfielder (or traded at the deadline if someone internally in the system steps up) for the rest of the year.
Yeah good luck getting Brantley on a short team deal. He needs to lock in a long term deal given his rocky health history.
Kind of hard to see him securing a long term deal though considering his injury history, he’s entering his age 32 season and that there are similar other options available.
The comparison to Markakis is a good one. Nick’s numbers (DRS) show a better outfielder than Jones, both hit for average, while Jones has the better power numbers.
At 34, Jones should still find a two year deal in the range of $8M per, and a move to LF should be in the cards.
A 33 year old outfielder who is clearly in decline has the Giants written all over it. Not like they have any better in house options though.
His last two seasons have been better than the two before. So not clearly in decline.
Jon Jay got $3M, and that’s $2M more than he’s worth. He’s terrible. Just ask Dbacks fans. He’s the most overrated player in baseball. Take away his HBP and he’s nothing.
I’ll miss Adam Jones. I miss Markakis. 2110 Eutaw Street was amazing. I hope they both can get a ring before they retire. Would be cool if they reunited somewhere. I think both are still everyday players.
AL is better so he can DH some to earn his money. Twins, Indians may be good fits but he is going to have to settle for 1 YR at 5 or 6 million with some incentives. He is a bit unusual in that he hits for average but does not walk a lot.
I thought the twins makes some sense as well. Jones could spend some time with Buxton and might give him a different perspective on something and he could put it all together. Twins have some left handed OF who Jones can platoon with. If he lands a everyday role and gets 20+ mil total I’ll be shocked. Carlos Gonzalez is a good comparable 1/5. Maybe 1/7.5 with inflation.
“I care more about future money than I do about the chance to win/play in the playoffs” does not seem like a way to get paid by a contender in the off-season…
Interesting strategy, indeed. We’ll see if it works for him.
You put in quotations something that he never said. Here is something he did say – Asked about his priorities in free agency, Jones said he “for sure” wants to sign with a winning club that can provide the “opportunity to play for something special.”
@ cubbies Steve doesn’t understand 10/5 rights.
Seems like Indians or Braves would be logical choices. Maybe Yankees.
Yankees have more outfielders than they know what to do with as it is. Judge, Hicks, Stanton, Frazier, Gardner (if the pick up his option) and Ellsbury.
I think Jones would be a great signing for a team like the A’s that could stick him in left field on a 1 year deal and he could contend. Plus it will add some veteren leadership to a young team
No way he goes to the Yankees! They definitely don’t need him and have seen him on a regular basis for 12 years. They know he’s just an average player and his defense has been horrible the last two years. He will have a rude awakening when he tests the market. The Orioles have overvalued him for years and he definitely is not a club house leader. That was guys like JJ Hardy, Matt Weiters, Nick Markskis not Jones. Good riddance!!
His lack of flexibility will hurt him in free agency. Contrary to what he believes vetoing the trade did not help him and he will get a rude awakening when free agency begins. If he goes to Phils and leads them to playoffs he increases his value
Respectfully, I disagree. His numbers were already declining. The Phillies have issues that Jones wasn’t the solution too. Slim chance he would have had some career resurgence. Combine that with the crowded list of free agents and he’s still in the same spot come free agency.
I think it was a gamble. Unnecessary gamble for him. Do you think the Phillies would be playing him right now if they have the same record they have now, highly unlikely. I think he’s looking at a platoon situation regardless next season. That OBP is going to be a concern for teams.
I couldn’t agree more. He basically would have split with Nick Williams. Altherr doesn’t see much playing time. It’ll be interesting to see where he lands this offseason.
I think he’ll be disappointed this winter. Corner OF bats who are limited defensively just aren’t going to getting big bucks this year. The suggestion of 1 year/5M with some incentives makes sense.
Too bad; WAS a pretty good player. But GMs are going to look at his overall current package and ask how much more valuable is he than a guy you can pick up cheap. The performances of guys like Max Muncy and Joey Wendle will have teams digging around this winter, maybe more than they have before.
He doesn’t seem like he has a lot of respect for the National League game. I expect he ends up in some place in the AL as a stopgap for a OF that is at least a couple of years away. I would guess maybe KC or SEA for 2/20 or something like that. Of course, money talks so if an NL team like the Mets offers more money he’ll be there.
You didn’t read the article did you?
He also discussed this at length on the R2C2 podcast with CC.
Just hope the O’s aren’t in on signing him long term. 1 year 8 mil at best
under performing veteran with poor CF defense – I really hope the giants stay away but I don’t know that they will if they don’t can evans.
If Jones believed that Philadelphia had a legitimate chance to make the playoffs, I think he would’ve approved the deal. Contributing to a stretch Drive and exposure in postseason would have in enhanced his “brand.” Too bad the interview were didn’t ask Joanne if he would’ve felt the same way about the Yankees, cubs or Red Sox.
A .285 BA and a .743 OPS are both considerably above league average.
But for a starting outfielder with almost no defensive or baserunning value it’s not particulaly special. It’s a 104 OPS+, which puts him at 4% above league average. That’s not that great.
Think he gets a QO? Think he takes it if he does?
Ummm no lol. And he would take it without even asking his agent if he’s in touch with reality at all. Zero chance he’s offered the QO though as you could have an entire OF it Adam Jones for less than 19 mil QO.