Adam Jones hopes to keep playing “at least four or five more years,” the veteran outfielder told reporters (including MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko) this weekend at his #StayHungry Purple Tailgate charity event in Baltimore. Jones turned 33 last August and is coming off a season that saw him hit .281/.313/.419 with 15 homers over 613 plate appearances for the Orioles, making for his lowest home run and slugging average totals since 2008, and below-average run production overall (98 wRC+). Between his age and the offensive dropoff, Jones may face a difficult market as he test free agency for the first time in his 13-year career, though he is realistic about his prospects. “It’s like [being] the senior that some people want that not everybody wants, as opposed to the sophomore that everybody wants. I take it back when I was in high school and getting flirted with a little bit,” Jones said. “But at the same time, I’ve got no stress. The Orioles have been good to me financially over my career. I just know that I have a lot to offer someone else and I have a lot of gas in the tank.”
A reunion with the Orioles doesn’t appear to be in the cards for now, as Jones said that he hadn’t heard from the team since the season ended. This isn’t necessarily unusual, as Baltimore only just installed Mike Elias as its new general manager in mid-November, and Elias could have interest in re-signing a team legend to act as an on-field mentor through the Orioles’ rebuilding phase. Still, Jones’ tribute-filled final game of 2018 campaign (and his own comments following the team) certainly seemed to hint that the two sides would be parting ways.
Here’s more on some other free agents around the game….
- The Phillies are the latest team to express “active interest” in southpaw Andrew Miller, MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi reports (Twitter link). The previously-reported Cardinals and Mets are also among the teams looking at Miller, though the left-hander isn’t yet close to signing with anyone. Injuries limited Miller to just 34 innings in 2018, and likely contributed to his overall middling numbers (at least in comparison to his outstanding performance from 2014-17). Still, with such a track record, it isn’t surprising that Miller is getting lots of attention from a wide range of teams. Philadelphia is a natural suitor, as the Phils have loads of money to spend this winter and could want more of a veteran late-game presence to complement star rookie Seranthony Dominguez.
- Bryce Harper’s name has naturally been attached to the Phillies as they seemingly prepare to embark on a spending spree, to the point that “it’s amazing how many people inside this sport almost assume that the Phillies will be the highest bidder in this auction” for Harper, The Athletic’s Jayson Stark writes (subscription required). Philadelphia has enough financial resources and available future payroll space to pursue anyone in the free agent market…or maybe even in future markets, as Stark speculates on the idea of Mike Trout and Harper both playing in the Phillies outfield in 2021. Trout still has two years left on his Angels contract, of course, and thus it’s far too early to guess at what might happen down the road, especially since the Angels have every intention of keeping their superstar. (“I would bet that Arte would spend $10 billion not to have to read the sentence: ’Arte Moreno was the owner who let Mike Trout walk away,’ ” one executive joked to Stark.) Still, the Phillies’ financial might and their close proximity to Trout’s hometown of Millville, New Jersey make them seem like a logical candidate should Trout ever test the open market.
- Nathan Eovaldi is one of the most sought-after names on the free agent starting pitching market, yet “there is a team or two toying with trying to sign him as a reliever,” the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo writes. Eovaldi’s superb results out of the Red Sox bullpen during their World Series run has surely contributed to this idea, and with two Tommy John surgeries to his name, a case could be made that relief work would be less stressful on Eovaldi’s arm. This being said, it would be incredibly surprising to see Eovaldi sign on as a reliever after so strongly re-establishing his credentials as a starting pitcher last season.
I’d love to see Jonesy return to the O’s but it would take him getting zero love from another team and him willing to accept a cost effective deal like 2/10
If the new GM is any good he will just run minimum wage outfielders for the foreseeable future until they can compete. Save the money. I would spen 2mil on Jones for 1 year. Of he is any good flip him at the deadline.
The only problem is you cant just flip him because if the O’s sign him, he still has his 10/5 rights and can refuse any trade just like he did this past season.
Oh, details, details. (In other words, Great point.)
Just as an interesting hypothetical, what happens if jones signs elsewhere only to return to the orioles at a later date? Do the 10/5 rights still apply?
Dont think so
No they wouldn’t, only if they have been in the league for at least 10 years and the last 5 or more have been with the same club.
Normally, the ten and five apply on an existing contract. Is there anything in the MLBPA agreement that would prevent a change in a new one? Probably still can’t do it but a player should be able to waive or modify a provision that only helps him. Same way in my view a team can auto resign a player for more than the minimum.
10/5 rights are for the benefit of the player. It allows for the player to choose whether or not to accept a trade. Takes the main control away from the team. I think that’s what you were asking.
GoRav, sounds about right.
I really don’t think Adam Jones has another 5 years of MLB-level production in him, but kudos to him for believing in himself.
His bat is really falling off, and as a low OBP, he doesn’t really have a fallback skill. If you can’t take a walk to save yourself, you need your bat at it’s best. And it simply isn’t anymore.
His offense has dropped an awful lot for someone playing half his games in Camden Yards. Buyer beware.
Adam Jones is a decent option for a team like the Indians or Mets (among a few others) that can’t afford to spend big, but also want a bat that is going to be a bit more predictable than what those teams have been putting out there of late. Jones isn’t going to give you jaw-dropping stats, but he’s not a complete pushover in the lineup and he’s solid on defense.
yea, I like him or McCutchen for RF on the Indians…I think I picked one of these guys to CLE in the contest
I think Harper to White Sox
Jones to Cleveland
Eovaldi to Reds
Harper’s defense sure would fit in there, but seriously, why would he want to sign there?
Why would he want to sign with Philadelphia? They’re a long-time losing rebuilding team as well. The Sox have just as much money to burn as anyone else.
Except the Phillies did much better than the White Sox and were the NL East Division Leaders for most of the year.
If the White Sox want Harper to sign with them, they’ll need to make some high-profile trades or FA signings first
No, yes I like it, no way
What are you smoking guy?
Same other than Eovaldi… I’m pretty sure I picked him going back to Boston.
And on Eovaldi.. he will sign as a reliever if someone wants him to ..they’re just going to have to pay him starter money..about $52M for 3yrs. plus multiple options with buyouts ..but that should get it done.. that’s why the Red Sox still make the most sense.. a quality team with a great chance at the playoffs where he will be used in both roles and has to feel confident about it.
I may have chose Jones to go to the giants.
The Giants are capped out.
Capped out? There’s a cap? Lmao the giants have plenty of money to spend.
MLB should have a salary cap like the NFL does.
Its so unfair when comparing Oakland to like the NYY
then they had better put a salary floor also.
So, so true. A cap might never be possible but much more payroll parity is needed. It’s a joke now.
MLB wanted a cap; they fought hard for one. But that was a deal-breaker for the players. As long as the union is as strong as it is, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, there will not be a salary cap.
Not happening. If they invest in outfielders it’s harper. Otherwise they’re letting Duggar get CF with Slater, Williamson, Gorkys, and Hanson to manage the corners.
Don’t be surprised if this new gm trades for an outfielder. Starting pitching is big at AT&T, wouldn’t be surprised to see trades for some starters. Like Rodriguez or something.
i don’t see Harper happening. I’d Jones goes cheap, like under 4mm i can see the giants doing a one year, they are going to need someone with experience in the OF to bring the young guys along and his numbers even though it was a down year for him would have made him a team leader on the giants last year
You could be right about Harper, but I don’t see Jones happening either. Maybe if his defensive numbers were better, but they’re horrendous, He wasn’t even good in RF, although that’s from a small sample. He’s Denard Span bad in the OF but he doesn’t hit as well as Span, I see the Giants taking a pass on Jones. They can do better even if it they in house.
If Zaidi is as smart as they say no way Jones is going to the Giants.
Andrew Miller is a good value signing, possibly biggest.
Ace-like results and biggest value. Not on “down” trajectory. Just aberration season. Class. Kudos to whomever signs him.
He’ll still probably get an eight figure salary so I don’t see him as much of a value at that price unless he totally puts it back together
He’s not much of a “value” if he spends another season on the DL.
Eovaldi to the Braves!
PG to Golden Gate Park!!
I don’t see any of her posts
Braves should have no interest in Eovaldi, unless he’s extremely cheap. Outside of lighting up a radar gun, he’s really not that good.
I’m not a Phillies fan but I would love to see Harper Machado and Andrew Miller sign in Philly.
That’s a nice 75m+ payroll bump with just 3 players.
Eovaldi to the Twins??? Seems at least possible given his ties to former Tampa Bay Ray, and new Twins manager, Rocco Baldelli.
“yea Nate, there are like 15 teams in the league willing to give you a 3 year deal, so you are gonna get PAID.”
“yea, that’s all fine and good…but…do those teams have Rocco Baldelli?”
pretty sure the conversation will not go like this…
He played with Baldelli for half a season. Not sure I would consider that “ties”. Unless of course Baldelli was helping him with his rehab from Tommy John.
Let’s see about this choice: .Eovaldi can hang with Rocco in Minnesota for the summer or chase a second ring in Boston.
I feel like Eovaldi is going to be a bust for whoever signs him to a mega contract.
thats a risk for a lot of the FA’s on the market
2-time TJ survivor, dialed 102 mph for strikes in playoff
What can possibly go wrong?
“Boink!” Goes the elbow?
Agreed. I’d be terrified if I were the team that gave Eovaldi 4 years.
The Phillies have money.
The Phillies have money.
The Phillies have money.
OK.
So they’ll sign some free agents that want the money. Short of Catcher they have one position player in place.
o The LF is a 1B. He’s unhappy.
o The CF is a LF. He’s unhappy.
o The RF is a 4th or 5th OF. He’s happy.
o The SS on the Depth Chart is 87 year-old Asdrubal Cabrera. But he’s not on the roster. He’s happy to play any position for any team that will pay him a major league salary.
o The 3B is a below average utility infielder. He’s happy to play any position for any team that will pay him a major league salary.
o The 2B is adequate which thrills the front office.
o The 1B is awaiting word on what team he’ll be playing for in 2018. His contract is 70-100% higher then he’s worth. He’s very happy.
There are no serious position prospects in the high minors.
The players have little confidence in the manager; a number of veterans unloaded about him to the media during the 2018 season.
But – The Phillies have money!
They’ll be the first choice of in-demand free agents looking to fit in with a quality, stable organization; playing in a city where the patient, understanding, ever faithful, fawning fans and media forgive mistakes.
The unsigned FA’S will be hearing from their agents starting in late December…….
“The Phillies have money!”
MLb should have salary cap
Why?
its so unfair to low market teams to compete with yankees, red sox, dodgers
The Owners have money, they just choose to run their teams on a shoestring. That’s not a salary cap issue, that’s an ownership issue.
All a salary cap does, is limit the earning capacity of the players, and put more $ in the owners back pocket. Revenue thrives, while salaries are suppressed.
its unfair that they get equal tv revenues but choose to pocket the money instead of investing in their prpoduct
They don’t get equal tv revenues. That’s the NFL. The differences in local tv contracts create a huge imbalance in baseball.
Those teams get paid by the more affluent teams to help them be competitive
You have to convince the players before there will be a salary cap and that ain’t happening. MLB was all for having one, but the players were not going to agree to anything like that.
Wow, great way to spend your Sunday. Hope your post didn’t take all of your day, maybe just most of it. Now go on and get your next witty post underway.
He wasted his Sunday, but he’s happy.
Asdrubal Cabrera just turned 33. I am not sure why you keep making posts saying he is really old. Yes, he is older than most SS out there but he is usually signed to play 3rd or as a super-utility type. Not sure why you make him out to be way older than he is.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. You just downright exposed the Phillies, nice job boss. Braves are going to dominate this division for many years, and if they’re smart with money, trades, keeping and dealing prospects, this could turn into a complete ruling of the division like the 90’s and early 2000’s bravos. Go Marlins…
First, correct about Rhys Hoskins in left. He is unhappy.
But, Goofy Odubel in center is always happy. Too happy.
The Phillies have 2 catchers who can’t actually catch the ball.
But as you commented, the Phillies have lots of money.
So for me as a phan, I want them to get everyone Of course I know that’s not happening.
Both Harper and Machado are real needs for that team. They need one rotation piece. A lefty with quality. Anything else would just be great.
If I’m Mike Trout, I turn down 10Billion from Moreno. He wants to win and the Angels have no shot in the next 10 years.
Julio Tehran for Mike Trout (thumbs up)
Ellsbury for Trout? I’ve learned(on here) that Ellsbury has a ton of value.
Stupid statements from jealous easterners. Trout’s going nowhere.
greatdaysport, meet sarcasm.
You’re not Mike Trout, and if you had any clue about the man you’d know he genuinely enjoys playing in Southern California, and that a decision to leave absolutely would not be about money, but about opportunity. He’s had one postseason opportunity (one he’d like to forget), and wants the chance for more.
His next RF (and successor in CF), Jo Adell, will make the jump in 2020, or possibly even this season; Adell projects as a Betts-type of OF. Ohtani will be full-time DH in 2019, and back to splitting time between the rotation and DH in 2020. Eppler plays 3D chess as GM and knows what the team will need for the next five years. If Trout sees a plausible pathway to the postseason, then it figures he will sign an extension for at least five more seasons, though Arte will want to lock him up for life.
No arguments here.
Does Adam Jones even get a MLB deal? He’s going to want more money than he’s worth (2 years, 4 mill). Maybe Japan would work best for him? He’s really, really, not that good anymore, and hasn’t had a good season since 2015. He’s probably done, right?
You should probably quit sniffing glue
I can see Jones as a 4th or 5th OFer. His wRC+ over the last 3 years is 98, 107, and 98. That’s just above league average and there are plenty of bench guys out there below league average.
He was pretty good in 2017 and still had a league average bat last year. He’ll get at minimum a Granderson/Martin/Maybin type of deal at around 5-8 million to push for an everyday spot.
Granderson is not a good comparable; he’s been much better than Jones, even being a few years older. The other 2 are, and each did sign MLB deals, but $5-$8M would be an overpay. Martin and Maybin signed for $3M and $3.25M respectively. And they were bench guys, which is probably what Jones is best suited for as well.
He deserves one, but after Phillips and Lind there’s no guarantees. GMs truly couldn’t care less about veteran slap hitters these days. If I was Jones I’d gladly settle for a 1 year deal with a team like the Indians… that’s about all the offers he’ll get.
The Philly’s are poised to spend like the Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers and Red Sox……. maybe they win it all and maybe they get burned ? Their money.
Even if the Phillies got both Bryce and Manny, it just makes them better but not a World Series team. They have too many other needs.
there are too many teams , they should have relegation like in soccer where teams with owners who wont spend to win get their teams relegated to the minor leagues. I never want to see a salary cap while their are owners who refuse to spend. Why punish the teams who invest in their product just so owners who refuse to can pocket more money
move back to 24 teams and let the 4 best teams in triple AAA move up each season while the 4 worst MLB teams move down. That way TV revenues go to the owners of teams who actually try to win
sure the fans of those teams will whine about their owners being cheap but at least then theyll see they are blaming the wrong franchises. why should the Wilpons live off the Mets franchise as they do.? the Mets would probably end up being relegated. id hate it but it at least would force them to sell
Does soccer have the same type of affiliated farm system that MLB does? I seriously doubt it. I think the Padres would not be happy if MLB made their AAA affiliate into a major league club. The Padres would not only be losing a lot of their top prospects, but they might even have to play against them. Sounds like it would be a total cluster-cuss.
you miss the point, the padres major league team would be sent down if they were one of the 4 worst teams and theyd stay down until they were one of the 4 best minor league teams and earned there way back up, no team would be immune. if the yankees finished in the bottom 4 of the majors, down they go.
that way every owner would have the incentive to win. every single year. if they dont theres no revenue sharing they wouldnt share in national tv revenue. theyd have incentive to actually try to win. instead of pocketing the money like the Padres do, the orioles do, and the mets do. and the braves did
every single year the 4 worst teams move down to triple AAA and the 4 best teams in triple AAA would become major league teams. That way teams would have no incentive to lose and pocket revenues.
And better yet the fans whose teams have been relegated can finally blame those who are responsible for their teams problems,( their teams owners) and not the teams that reinvest in their product
why should teams who do things the right way, continually subsidize teams teams that REFUSE TO BUILD PROPERLY
suddenly overnight fans would see which owners do a good job and which owners do a bad job., and their fans would hold them accountable, not other teams.
the best part is no teams would have any excuses, none
Minor league baseball teams are MLB teams affiliates. They are not independent teams. They do not find their own talent and build their own rosters. Their rosters are controlled at the MLB level. The Minor Leagues is an MLB developmental league. That is what the minor leagues exist for. So your idea makes zero sense. He’s not missing the point. You’re missing the point.
Last season the Padres were not one of the 4 worst teams. The Royals were and they have one of the worst farm systems in baseball. I can’t imagine how awful it would be for the Royals’ AAA club to be playing a 162 game season against teams like the Red Sox, Astros, Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs, Brewers, or any of the other really good teams.
What about the 2017 Giants that were tied for worst with the Tigers, but had a top payroll? Your plan penalizes a team doing exactly the opposite of what you want to punish teams for. And the SF AAA club would be a marketing nightmare for baseball, as would the Tiger’s.
What you’re suggesting has the very probable chance of being a totally disastrous mess.
“the best part is no teams would have any excuses, none”
Except for the teams that do spend money, build correctly, but are devastated by multiple key injuries.
no im not in this example the royals Whitesox Marlins and orioles would be relegated, the best 4 triple AAA teams would be moved up, do you think the good teams would mind if they got 2 shares of the National tv pie simply because their top minor league teams moved up? hell no they wouldnt. and minor league teams would fight for an affiliation with a strong team. you already have that to an extent because certain minor league teams change affiliations just because their parent team doesnt provide for them
the only teams that lose in this scenario are fans of teams with bad owners. because now you cant blame your teams bad showing on teams that do things the right way, for years teams like the Padres, and the marlins have been bad because their owners have been bad owners. but do fans of these teams do anything about it? no they never do.
the Yankees and redsox and dodgers arent to blame for competitive imbalance the problem lies with owners and this incentivizes those owners to win. or their cash cow goes away
I know this firsthand as a met fan, the Mets have exactly the same advantages as the yankees. but the yankees invest in their product and the mets do not. its that simple
tadzb13 even if that happens its only for one year all you need to do is not be one of the 4 worst teams’ none of the orioles whitesox Marlins or royals were anywhere near competitive this year they were so far out their seasons were over in june. nice try but it doesnt wash
this is just the excuses that teams that are bad use not to try to compete. they keep putting tv revenues in their pockets and reaping high draft picks for doing so. the reast of big business doesnt reward inferior businesses why should MLB?
Okay, I didn’t understand exactly how your plan worked at first but now that I do it still is just not close to being any kind of a working plan.
And, you’re just not getting how the existing system works. If you did you would know your plan is a nonstarter. A lot of the the guys in AAA need more seasoning. If they were able to play at the ML level most would be there. The Padres do not want their prized hitting prospects being overwhelmed by ML pitching, nor do they want their prized pitchers getting hammered by ML hitters, and throwing too many innings that a 162 game season would dictate. Catchers would be another tough issue since they typically need more time in the minors than others. More than a few prospects have been ruined by being brought up too soon, and you’re suggesting wholesale promotions for guys that aren’t ready.
And how would the Padres call up someone from the minors as an injury replacement if the guy they signed for depth is now playing on a different MLB team? The only thing this accomplishes is punishing teams that have built up a strong farm system, but haven’t been able to see the benefits at the ML level yet. This season you would be punishing the Padres, and 2 years ago you have been punishing the Braves, and neither team is guilty of what you want to punish teams for.
There is no room for distinctions in this plan. By sending the 4 worst teams down there is no taking into account teams that are trying to win, like the 2016 Braves, but are in a temporarily bad situation, or have multiple key injuries, from the teams that are not trying as hard to win.
And by taking the best AAA teams you’re punishing teams that are doing things right. And how does a team get back up to the ML level if they’re aren’t getting high draft picks? How do the teams sent to the minor league build their rosters? If the Royals are sent down what ML team are they now affiliated with?
billneftleberg..you seem to be forgetting two little things….the MLBPA and the CBA.
as a side benefit, teams would no longer tank either. some teams dont really care if they ever win. as long as they collect revenue sharing and the national tv money
I’ve heard rumors the Phillies have money…….
Phillies have the money…but it’s still Philadelphia!
exampe: year after year the cubs try to win and yet the whites sox try to lose, they are both in the same market but the sox trade away Sale,Quntana David Robertson and yet they keep getting rewarded by getting higher draft picks than the cubs do. is that fair?
they play in the same town why should the whitesox owners be rewarded for delivering an inferior product if they thought for even a minute they could be relegated do you think they would have traded Sale Robertson or Quintana? oh hell no, why reward incompetence
And with your plan there is no chance of abuse, nor will any team be punished that is actually trying to win, like the 2016 Braves,…oh wait.
if by every year the Cubs try to win, are we trying to forget the 2011 – 2014 seasons or did you just become a Cubs fan?
Really? There’s tons of parity in soccer…. TONS. The white Sox wouldn’t be good in your scenario at all. They’d just be fighting not to be last every year and the good teams would still be…good. Even better now that you’d give them top picks. That’s enough on that. We can give the idea up because it isn’t happening.
I believe that Jones has a lot left in the tank. He just played for a sorry team. No protection around you can cause a player to have a down year for many reasons.
No protection had nothing to do with it. Jones is the same hitter he’s been when we had a stacked lineup with Cruz, Machado, old Davis, etc. His power was just zapped last year. Other than that the profile is exactly the same. He needs to be in a corner defensively but there’s some upside that his power could come back. But he is what he is offensively. 280 BA 310 OBP is real real close to what you can expect from jones at his best.
Don’t underestimate the Carson Wentz factor when it comes to Trout. The two are friends and went hunting together on the Eagles’ bye week. I’m sure he’d love to play an October day game then go cheer his buddy on right across the street. Philly has money, proximity to home, his favorite football team and his good friend Carson.