Sports Columnists

By NonChoppingBrave

December 6, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Over-rated! clap clap clapclapclap

At least he’s somebody elses problem now. His DUI experience in LA is going to be a lot tougher…those cops out there are in constant “beat the brown guy” mode.

By PTC DAWG

December 6, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

This is just one more reason for me to have less and less interest in Baseball. What a JOKE!!

That said, it is kind of hard to gloss over the 60+ MILLION that big mouth Boras left on the table.

By BirdBrain

December 6, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

Good Luck AJ..Thanks for the Memories…

By tiger7_88

December 6, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

If what was reported on the radio this morning is correct, Mark, you have once again proved how big an idiot you are.

Much of the contract is based on incentives. ESPN radio reported that the first years base salary is $9 million and the second years is $13 million. If you’re OK at math, Mark, that only $22 million over two years (averaging $11 million per year).

Now if Andruw comes out like the Andruw of 4 years ago, Boras does come out smelling, not like a rose, but at least a daisy.

If the Andruw of last year comes out, Boras is once again proven to be dealing from a pile of crap.

I know you’re a career suck-up, Mark, but stick to attaching your lips to the rear-ends of those that can actually help your career here in Atlanta like Arthur Blank and Mark “Souljah” Richt. I doubt Boras will even acknowledge your luxurious lips on his posterior.

By cursive

December 6, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Hope Andruw socks the money away for a rainy day. I think these will be his last two years of making a killing. He is physically much older than his DOB would suggest, and if he didn’t listen to Bobby or TP when it came to his hitting struggles what makes anyone think that he will listen to anyone else? That being said, I will miss AJ as a Brave and I will root for him to do well as a Dodger, as inplausable as it may be.

By Moose

December 6, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

$18M a year for a middle of the road CF. The Dodgers have really hamstrung themselves (again).

By Glove51

December 6, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Boras’ gets the last laugh?

Really?

He wanted a 4-5 year deal for sure and porjected Andruw at $20MM + per season.

By Jim H.

December 6, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

I’ve been a big Andruw supporter, but I predict the Dodgers will regret this (at least they had enough sense not to go for a 5-7 year deal). Andruw’s offense has always been streaky, and now his defense is starting to decline because of the beating his body has taken over the years (a situation that is not helped by his history of less than stellar conditioning). He is an OLD 30. I predict a BA of .240-.265, about 30 home runs, and about 100 RBIs out of him…..along with declining range in the outfield due to his rapidly wearing out wheels. Is that worth $18 mil a year?…you’ll have to ask the Dodgers. I’m glad we had him during his prime years. I hope the LA fans enjoy watching strike-outs, feable swings, weak pop-ups, and weak ground-outs —- interspaced with short streaks of good hitting.

By roan st

December 6, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Actually, boras was looking for a contract in the neighborhood of $150 million dollars. And yes it was a monumental failure signing a two year $36 million dollar contract when compared to tori hunter’s ( who is two years older) $90 million dollar deal. If you had ask someone two years ago if tori hunter was better than andruw they would have laughed in your face. Andruw will be 32 years old when he becomes a free agent again and will never get the long term big money deal boras coveted. Andruw has to much wear and tear on his body and even if he improves his offensive numbers teams will be scared off by the fear of injury and decline. Bradley did boras buy you dinner or give you a new watch?

By Enrique

December 6, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

To much money for a “I have a pretty smile when I strike out” guy. Perhaps all the smog from last month´s wildfire did affect the Dodgers front office. Boras did it again!!!!

By Ron Roberts

December 6, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Well now the onus is on Andruw. Either he’s going to prove his season last year was a one-year fluke, or he’s going to show that he’s an “old” 30 yr-old centerfielder in fast-decline. I tend to think he’s something in-between, frankly; not a marque player worthy of $18 million per year, but not Dale Murphy in his Phillies’ era, either.

This deal makes sense, because it gives Andruw a chance to prove he’s not in decline and worth of that $100 million/4-yeard deal after this contract. But Scott Boras would’ve probably driven the bidding up higher, I’d think, if he’d been open to the discussion of a short deal like this from the get-go. So make a big deal about Boras and his “achievement” here, but I think he could’ve done better.

Think it out; the Braves might have been interested in a 1-2 year “rental” if the notion hadn’t been so “absurd” according to Boras early on. It’s also risky, but not as risky for a team like the Twins or Royals to take on a player of Andruw’s caliber to add to their young teams, as well.

I think Boras blew it, frankly. Couldn’t happen to a more smug guy, too.

By SG

December 6, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

tiger7_88, check your facts before criticizing…$9M next year, $15M in th second year &$12.2M signing bonus. Hmmm, that seems suspiciously like $36M to me.

What was that “how big of an idoiot…” comment, and who does it really apply to?

By Falconator

December 6, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Who cares where Andruw goes and how much he gets? Not having to watch him flailing away in his at-bats is a positive way to anticipate next season. I guess the Dodgers have become the west coast Yankees.

By Sane Jane

December 6, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

If Andruw can’t get motivated in his walk year to stay with the team he (allegedly) wanted to play for his entire career, I wonder what will motivate him to succeed in LA?

Maybe the peer pressure of everybody being skinny & plastic will cause him to adopt a green vegan lifestyle?

By Camilo

December 6, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

I have a feeling the Braves are going to regret this one. Just four years ago Chipper hit about 60 points below his career average. Without that anchor in center, the Braves where will the team end up? I know it isn’t the “popular” opinion to root for a guy who did the almost everything wrong last year, but I’ve been watching Jones play from day one. His best years are ahead of him. A change of location is what he needs. And playing under Torre, I think he will go to the next level.

By hank755

December 6, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

tiger7 - the contract is not incentive based but all 36.2 million is guaranteed. The additional money not in his annual salary is a signing bonus.

I feel that they overpaid for Andruw just like they overpaid for Furcal a couple of years ago. I figured they would have to pay a little more to get him for a short term deal but stll didn’t think it would go over 14-15 million per season. Might not be the contract Boras was seeking but still much better than I thought they would get.

By hank755

December 6, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

tiger7 - the contract is not incentive based but all 36.2 million is guaranteed. The additional money not in his annual salary is a signing bonus.

I feel that they overpaid for Andruw just like they overpaid for Furcal a couple of years ago. I figured they would have to pay a little more to get him for a short term deal but stll didn’t think it would go over 14-15 million per season. Might not be the contract Boras was seeking but still much better than I thought they would get.

By hank755

December 6, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

tiger7 - the contract is not incentive based but all 36.2 million is guaranteed. The additional money not in his annual salary is a signing bonus.

I feel that they overpaid for Andruw just like they overpaid for Furcal a couple of years ago. I figured they would have to pay a little more to get him for a short term deal but stll didn’t think it would go over 14-15 million per season. Might not be the contract Boras was seeking but still much better than I thought they would get.

By Joseph McNulty

December 6, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

Andrew deserves a resurgence in Los Angeles, but he is unlikely to get it. I thought that he would put up some numbers last year, in the last year of his contract, but he seldom was able to hit his weight. If his defense is begining to decline — and many say his range as a centerfielder is going down — he had nothing left. It made no sense for the Braves to invest even $10 million in him, let alone $18 million like the Dodgers. Let him go — with our thanks for all the great years, although he has never been the superstar that everyone thought he would be after his rookie year. He hit two home runs in his first World Series game. It has been slowly downhill since then. When the Braves depended on “lights-put” pitching, a streaky-hitting centerfielder who played great defense could be tolerated. Not now.

By Dr.Strangelove

December 6, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Good Luck Andruw, Ignore the negative comments from folk who wanted an ol re-tread pitcher name Tom Glavine to lead team to 3rd place.Now that’s a waste of money.Next they’ll bring back Bob Horner. Obviously, people’s memories are short or they would realize you were just as pivotal in the championship runs from 96-04 as Tom’cross-the-picket line” Glavine. Enjoy sunny California, where they enjoy baseball

By Hoosier Aaron

December 6, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

The ONLY way you can say Boras gets the last laugh is if AJ makes a serious offensive turnaround. The Braves would have made a very competitive long-term deal for AJ if Boras hadn’t been ridiculous with his demands. No team is going to pay $100+M to a player coming off a .220 year. As it stands right now - Boras left several millions bucks on the table - only time will tell if a bird in the hand….I’d be interested in knowing if the contract includes the JD Drew opt-out clause in the event AJ hits .280 with 50 homers in 2008.

By Concerned

December 6, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Who the heck were the Dodgers bidding against?

By BOBCEE

December 6, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Well now the LA fans and media can get a real look at the pitiful smirk Andruw has on his face when he stikes out. Good riddance. Imagine getting thsat kind of money for mediocrity. No values in any of the sports anymore. us who are working people sometimes get a raise that is based on our past performance. Mediocre performance brings a mediocre raise.

By H from Marietta

December 6, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Anyways, it was a good run with AJ, but honestly you can have him!!! We don’t need a struggling clean-up hitter in our lineup. We got Mark Teixeria, who’s the real deal!!! I’d rather pay him the $20+MM/year for a gold glove 1B, who hits for AVERAGE and power consistently!!!

By Amber

December 6, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

I hardly think Bora$ got the last laugh. We’ll have it in the summer when Andruw’s still hitting under .250 and the Dodger fans have had it with his strikeout smile. See ya later ‘Druw!

By drixie

December 6, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

I wish Andruw well. Mark, your comment about LA being a better place when Andruw dissapoints the hometown fans is very astute. Andruw will dissapoint Dodger fans, and this will happen often. His “beer league” approach to hitting will only worsen during the 2 years he tries to pad his home run totals in order to reap another big free agent windfall. As they sip their chardonay and eat their sushi, and watch a beautiful sunset, Dodger fans may excuse Andruw’s lack of production in key situations. Had AJ gone to New York, Boston, or Chicago, they would have been brutal to him. So, once again Andruw, good luck, and I hope getting the big bucks brings you unbridled happiness in your life.

By mpinvb

December 6, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Looks like the Dodgers are really taking it up the rear. Andruw ain’t worth half that dollar amount. Borass is just an arrogant b******* who somehow got what he wanted.

By DOG THE MAN

December 6, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

All of you HATERS OUT THERE… Just stop it. If someone offered you 18+ Million to do anything you would take it. And we will miss Andruw!!! Mark my words.. When centerfield is a wasteland and Chipper is hurt, do not complain…

By humbug

December 6, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

tiger7_88

Before calling someone else an idiot you might just look in a mirror and see a certified one. You spout off that a newspaper sports writer is totally wrong and you use what you think you heard on ESPN radio as the proof?

By Rip 'n Read

December 6, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Suckas!

By UnclebaseHit

December 6, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

This is a lose-lose situation. The Braves lose a very efficient defensive centerfielder and Andrew is having to depart a city and organization that he loves. Moreover, Andrew now has to play under HEAVY expectations of hitting for average. Too bad, in the short term he got good money but in the long term he will pretty much be a “footnote” after this contract period is up

By Knockahoma

December 6, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Will miss: great plays in the outfield. Won’t miss: stupid grin when striking out with men on base, hitting into countless double plays, calling off other outfielders on catches he doesn’t make, swing with right knee on the ground, underhanded throws to the infield while runners go first-to-third. Uncoachable and his natural talent has run out. Good bye and good luck.

By jcfromindy

December 6, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Good for Andrew……..if the Braves where smart they’d sent sorry Chippter Jones and his sorry coach packing.

No reason for them to get rid of Jones,,,, he was one of the best….

I hope Atlanta Sports teams get themselves together, because all of them suck…………..

By Elainer

December 6, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Cant wait to hear all of you Andruw bashers crying next season when center field for the Braves is giving up all the runs that Andruw prohibited with one of the best gloves in baseball history. Good luck Andruw!! I will miss you!

By Muhammed

December 6, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

He was getting lazy here. A .200 hitter getting that kind of money? Capitalism at its finest.

By Say Hey

December 6, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Anyone who believes Andruw was as good a fielder as Willie Mays, needs to take their medication. This particularly applies to Terrence Moore, who atributes Maddux and Glavin’s Cy Young Awards to Andruw when Andruw wasn’t on the team until 1996. Aside to Mark Richt: please teach your drunken thugs what a one-way sign means before some innocent student dies. The arrest last Saturday is one more indication that Mike Adams’ anti-alcohol program is not working.

By Andy

December 6, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

DOG THE MAN, I’m not a hater but after watching Andruw this past year it’s obvious he doesn’t have the skills he once did. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a great fielder seemingly getting a really good jump on balls consistently. His arm is nowhere near what it was. I can recall many people going from 2nd to 3rd this past year with his throws always being a little late.

As others have said, he’s sooo streaky and can’t get it through his head to hit to all fields. It drives me nuts that he ALWAYS tries to pull EVERYTHING. Usually that ends in a strike out or a pop up.

The Braves can find a more consistent hitter who is willing to at least try and hit to all fields, but I’ll agree that his defense will be missed.

I’ll definitely be pulling for Andruw, unless the Dodgers are playing the Braves.

By reebok

December 6, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Jones is a lazy, washed-up hack. The next curve ball he hits will be his first. I can’t wait until next season, watching Glavine pitch around the batters in front of Andruw to get to the sure strikeout.

By paisa777

December 6, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Good luck Andruw. Unlike everybody else here, I’ll say that I’ll miss watching you play and robbing all those base hits and home runs from other teams. Everybody needs to stop hating. Does he deserve that much money? Probably not. But don’t neglect what he did for this team. He’s an “old” thirty because he laid his body on the line for us to have a chance to win. He did get out a lot, but we also rode him to a title 2 years ago. He grounded into a lot of DPs, but he also prevented a lot of RBIs and hits. If anything, I’ll miss you A Jones! Good Luck

By George

December 6, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

It is my hope that Andrew wins the MVP in the National League in 2008 and along the way gets the game winning hit against the Braves any and every time the Dodgers play Atlanta.

By Oldawg

December 6, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Since the folks in LA are so laid back and all, maybe they won’t offended at Andruw grinning like a possum when he strikes out.

By Ryder

December 6, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

I’ve always rooted for Andruw since he was a 19 year old who hit two home runs in game one of the 1996 World Series. Perhaps a new environment will help him out. Whatever happens it’s going to be really tough watching him in a Dodger uniform. Thanks for the memories ‘Druw. The Braves fans won’t know what they have missing once your “replacement” misplaces fly balls and can’t hit a lick.

By GT81

December 6, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

What drove me crazy about AJ, and not just last year either, is his tendency to put up his big numbers when the game is not on the line against middling pitching. Put him up against the top relief pitchers in late and close situations, and he breaks your heart every time. With his declining defensive skills, I wish him well, but I’m glad the Braves didn’t spend the money.

By RK

December 6, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

hmmm…Glavine…Furcal…Javy Lopez….Andruw…new teams. Almost everyone who leaves the Braves seems to pretty much suck afterwards. Druw is getting fat and even his tremendous jumps on baseballs needs him to lose about 40 pounds. No 30 year old should have knee problems except a catcher…especially one who catches about 5 flies per game so please don’t apply his “rugged catches” which are very few and far between….Good luck Andruw. You were awesome. Unfortunately you are leaving the comfort and camraderie of the Atlanta Braves along with your self proclaimed father figure (Bobby Cox)for a few more dollars and tremendous disappointment and lonliness…

By Wayne

December 6, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Dodgers will regret this. Always good for a double play or strikeout at the worst possible time.He will break their hearts over and over just like he has ours.

By Paul From Milton

December 6, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

I say good luck Andruw and tiger7_88 has anger management and insecurity issues.

By Peter

December 6, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Congratulations to the Dodgers……..they have over paid for two of our former players……

Furcal, and now Andruw………

I wouldn’t want Furcal back…….would you ?

By ERIC Williamson

December 6, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Andruw gave his all for the Braves and the city of Atlanta. I can’t imagine seeing him in another uniform, as a fan I won’t enjoy it. Andruw laid it all on the line and played even when he was hurt and should have taken a day off. I know he had his off the field problems, but remember he was just a kid and he grew up right in front of our eyes. He is the GREATEST center fielder of all time and gave us highlight catches almost every single night. Good luck Andruw and God Bless!!

By Leandre

December 6, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

The Braves still Suck… Will suck again next year - get rid of Bobby wife-beater Cox. His style has played out.

Watch AJ go and have a career year. Now you have just what you want a local boy baseball team.

As bad as the Mets and Phillies were - yuou still finshed behid them

By tiger7_88

December 6, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Thank you for the corrections… just goes to show you can’t believe everything you hear on the radio.

But that still doesn’t change the fact that Bradley will have to have his lips surgically removed from Scott Boras’ gluteus maximus.

By Fan since 66

December 6, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Looks like Boras and Andrew did come out looking great.And all the riders on Tex’s bandwagon had better get ready,theres no way the Atlanta Braves will give him a contract for 20 million a year.Sure he can hit and he can field and he will get his money but,it will be somewhere else.The New York teams along with Boston and the California teams rule baseball now.Detroit has a great team as has Clevland and the Rockies.But free agent wise those big market teams will swamp everyone else.You will see a team like Colorado get in now and then like this year but,money will buy the championship most years.Its a shame and it ain’nt right but what else is new?

By BJohnDawg

December 6, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

If Jones will stop coming to training camp looking like Tim Allen in the Santa Clause and lay off the donuts and cakes, he might get back to form.

Or he can pack on the LBS and hit .184. His choice.

By Brad

December 6, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Whats going on here: Look at these 12yr averages

RBI 103

HR 34

SLUG% 497

AVG AB 589

Oh and by the way has 10 Golden Gloves.

And he is only 30yrs old. A cinch for the Hall of Fame. Would have gotten more money if had a better season last year.

If he has played the last 12 years in a real market (chicago, NY, LA), he would be considered a superstar already.

I’m grateful to have watched this superb athelete play for the past 12 yrs.

By TP9

December 6, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Now we’re criticizing Andruw Jones for smiling, while playing a game? Let me repeat that: It’s a GAME.

If you don’t like the way he played, or if you think the Braves are better off without him, I have no argument.

However, if you are going to criticize a man for smiling, it is only showing your own bitterness.

He makes more money than you! It’s unfair! Do something about it.

You don’t owe him anything for giving you the good times when he carried the team a couple seasons ago when Chipper went down. But he doesn’t owe you anything either.

Show some respect people…it’s baseball, not life.

By Regina

December 6, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Why is this important? This is why I don’t support pro sports, overpayed spoiled athletes, sports agents, and team owners. We should support youth sports more to keep children out of trouble.

By Met Fan

December 6, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

With all the backloaded long contracts out there, it is a better deal for the Dodgers, than it appears at the surface. Also, it makes even less sense for the Braves not to have signed him. Especially since their top CF prospect is about two years away from the Major Leagues.

By Charlie

December 6, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

Andruw is too stubborn to change his plate approach. Without a change in approach, the Dodgers just got hosed. Maybe the league will forget that Andruw can’t hit pitches down and away and pitch him inside. Perhaps Boras can get all his pitching clients to help Andruw out! Up and in baby!!!

By flyball

December 6, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Andruw was a great defensive player, but let’s see, he was in the middle of our batting order for most of the past 10 years, and how’d we do in the playoffs once we got there? Oh, that’s right, no championships. Before anymore losers wax nostalgic over what a great loss the Braves have with Andruw out of the lineup, check his lifetime stats with RISP, LOB, etc. The Braves are MUCH better off with Andruw out of the lineup. With the amount of baserunners Andruw typically had when he was hitting, a .280 hitter would far less raw power would drive in more runs than he did.

By True Braves Fan

December 6, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Joe Torre did an admirable job of managing the super star line up that was provided him in NY. Now we will see how he manages a stubborn FORMER super star. The Dodgers overpaid to get Furcal, and they overpaid to get Andrew.

By AJ 25

December 6, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Thanks to a great agent and DOB’s selective stats which made me look like a superstar I got $18 mill per. I love this game!

Better yet, I get to stay in the NL and torment the Braves and all their fans who wanted to run me out of town. How do you like me now?

The road to the World Series goes through LA with me and Raffy breaking hearts along the way.

Oh yeah and one more thing. LA has better and more strip clubs then Atlanta. I can’t wait to make it “Rain” with my new contract.

By ddc

December 6, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

Andrew did alot of good for the Brave’s over the years.I will thank him for that. The sad thing these days. There’s no more loyality in sports at all. Good luck Andrew Jones.

By BossLady

December 6, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

I thought it was Furcal with the DUI’s, I don’t remember Andruw getting DUIs. He was in the Gold Club scandal but was not guilty of anything.

By rhino

December 6, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

If Atlanta would have dumped Chipper Jones huge contract or Mike Hampton contract they could have made a deal with Jones. It is funny how many people are mad at A. Jones for wanting the same money Atlanta is paying for old injured players now.

By Navigator

December 6, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

You’re right Mr. Bradley, Jones did get the last laugh, the absolutely last. However, the laugh is only on the Dodgers, who can’t figure out how to win anymore. To give a guy $18M for his defensive work in the out field, is a real hoot! Diminishing offensive skills is not humorous, mostly just sad.

By TP9

December 6, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

How is Andruw Jones at all disloyal? Does anyone remember what happened with his last contract?

By Robert S

December 6, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Now the Dodgers get to see why Andruw is one of the most overrated players of this generation. And in the hitter’s graveyard called Dodger Stadium, he’ll be lucky if he hits 20 to 25 HR next year. Does Ned Colletti know what he’s just done?

Sure, he’ll come up with some mind boggling plays in the outfield, but as was the case in Atlanta, he’ll make up for it with his lack of hitting fundamentals - trying to hit the ball to Orange County, rolling over on outside pitches (the obligatory grounder to SS), and his prodigous number of strikeouts. He was an offensive liability, regardless of his homers, which mostly came in non-clutch situations. As many runs he might have saved in the outfield, he neutralized it with his offense.

I’m glad the Braves have moved on. Now L.A. can deal with the enigma….

By Sane Jane

December 6, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

If I had to guess, I would say Andruw is a stoner/pothead.

He reminds me of kids I went to school with - loaded with talent, but unfocused and undisciplined. Tries to rely on natural ability rather than repetition.

They would get stoned & “go have fun” - rather than take it seriously & do the hard work. They’d just go & fart around & not really care if they ever reached their potential.

Sound like A. Jones?

Of course, it takes one to know one…

(sorry mom!)

By BossLady

December 6, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Well said Camilo. Andruw was too good for many many years and carried the team on his back when Chipper was hurt. I am so happy for him that he going somewhere it is warm and sunny and work under the best and classy Managers, Joe Torre. I love Bobby Cox, but I loved Torre first. The Braves will miss Andruw when Glavine is pitching for sure and also when Smoltz is pitching too. The games he won for us and the runs he took off the board on teams will be a loss. Don’t you sh!t yourself center field is not easy to play and Andruw always had it covered and directed the entire outfield. Best Wishes to the Jones Family.

By humbug

December 6, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Two things stand out in this blog. There are the AJ haters who think that he was never good and the AJ lovers who assume that his replacement won’t be able to hit or catch a ball. He was a great player who finally had a bad season. He would still be here if Boras hadn’t convinced him and the Braves that teams were lining up to offer him at least 100 million.For Boras to accept 36 million, how long could that line have been?

Don’t pass judgment on his replacement till you know who it is and you see him play.

I think AJ was a great player for us and will miss him being in our center field. He carries my best wishes as does his replacement.

By A.B.

December 6, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

Why has everyone been so anti-Andruw? He routinely hit 30 Hr and 100 RBIs a year, perennial Gold Glove, good baserunner, .260-.270 hitter. So last year was down. If I remember correctly, the other Jones had a similar down year a few years ago, but of course that was because of ‘injuries’. When the baseballs start reaching the center field wall because no one is there to stop them, you all are going to whine about that.

By JohnGTFan

December 6, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Andruw’s going to make it “rain” alright…with all his pop-ups to the infield. I do not remember who it was, but he/she made a great point. All the Braves superstars that leave destroy their career. Furcal, Lopez, Glavine(last year was decent), etc etc all had down years and careers…even Maddux declined. I think the only one that did well was Sheff..but that was only one year…he couldn’t stay healthy once he left. People are so quick to whine, complain and judge the organization when these overpaid idiots leave for more money. And what does the organization do…put our more talent like McCann, Frenchy, Escobar, etc etc. I’m telling you, this organization has got it right! Look at what all the spending of dollars has gotten the Yankees since 2000. ZERO WORLD TITLES. How about the MUTS with Omar at the help spending endlessly…ZERO WORLD TITLES. The only exception to big spending is the Red Sox…but the key to them is most of their talent is “home-grown”. That’s what Atlanta is doing and I think it’s right. Yeah, we gave up a lot for Tex…but if he resigns in the ATL…it’s a great trade. If not. He will go, and as always, the Braves will endure with the wealth of talent and those extra dollars will be well used on free agents (younger pitcher, 1st base, etc). Have faith people!! ATL has been doing it right for AT LEAST the past 17 years…can you say that about any other organization in baseball??

By FastFreddie

December 6, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

The only person who proved anything in signing Andruw was the Dodgers GM who proved himself to be a consumate idiot.

By Justin

December 6, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

I think it is fabulous that Andruw is going to the Dodgers! Rumor has been circulating for years now that Cox wanted to trade him. Atlanta just can’t seem to keep a person of color on the team. hmmmmmmmm? Makes you wonder? Now all you Jones haters can eat dirt, because he got just want he wanted and the Dodgers have recoginized real talent. GOOD LUCK ANDRUW!!!

By Gary

December 6, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Rhino, get a clue. How on earth could the Braves dump Hampton’s contract? Who do you trade an injured pitcher to? Besides, most of his contract is covered by insurance so this didn’t affect the decision to dump Andruw at all. As for Chipper, I don’t understand your animosity. The guy came within a hair of winning the batting title, a feat no Brave has matched since I can remember. Sure he was injured for a spell, but when he played he swung the bat and fielded his position like the all-star he is. I think most Brave fans loved the way Andruw played center and don’t begrudge him looking for more $$$. It was just that it didn’t make sense for the Braves to pay him that kind of money with his declining offense. I hope he has a great 2 years with the Dodgers and hits 50 home runs. I’m sad to see Andruw go but there is no way you can say dump the best switch hittin 3b in the leauge in order to keep a defensive CF who has not been productive at the plate. The Braves made the right move and knowledgeable fans know that.

By A.B.

December 6, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

In addition to my previous post, Andrew was never in any trouble. No affairs, etc. Also, everyone is crying about his offensive production. How many other players in the league averaged over 30 HR and 100 RBI over the last 10 plus years and who are you going to get to replace him? This is why Atlanta pro sports teams suck. The fans are don’t show up to support the teams but yet they criticize the players unrealistically.

By boots

December 6, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

As a baseball fan and a believer in the history and tradition in the game, I do not like Boras or what he has done to the game. Mercenaries… all players are mercenaries these days. However, I would not mind either having Boras represent me in my own negotiations with my company or having a job working as a sports agent doing the same thing. The owners are more at fault than anyone. Meanwhile, who are the Braves going to have play???

By Rick

December 6, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Any real Braves fan would appreciate what Andruw did for the Braves for the past decade and wish him well in whatever he might choose to do

By Bob from Accounttemps

December 6, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

When ‘Druw signed his new contract, did he finally learn how to spell his name correctly?

Are the Braves talking to A-Rod?

By TBraveFan

December 6, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Just goes to prove that there really is indeed a sucker born every minute and it seems that’s been applicable to the Dodgers on a number of occasions.

By mike

December 6, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

So many haters on here. The funny thing is that all you hater’s salaries put together won’t equal Andruw’s salary for 1 year. So instead of hating on the man, just wish him good luck and glad to see you move on. And to the haters who never could play the game, stop wasting your energy.

By walter sobchak

December 6, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

at least he’s got plenty of money to spend at in-n-out burger.

By BigMan

December 6, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Boras is the man! He got $18 / yr for a dude who’s been whiffing at change ups for 11 yrs!

By chuck

December 6, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

I wish Andruw the best, but no way he was worth $18m per year. That’s the biggest problem with baseball today. Lordy, if he’s worth that what should A-Rod make…$40m per year?

We need to go back to the day of 1-year non-gauranteed contracts.

That said, Andruw was a great center fielder, probably the best ever defensively. I wish he had paid more attention to the little things that would have enabled him to be a better hitter, but then again, why do all of that when a team will still pay you $18m a year without doing it?

One thing I have noticed. When Bobby Cox gives up on one of his long term players, there is usually a reason.

By Bob from Accounttemps

December 6, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

Mike, Haters?!?!? Nope. Realists; pragmatists, yup. AJ is a paid professional who didn’t play professionally. When a golfer loses his stroke, he gets coaching. When AJ lost his swing, he ignored the advice and tried to power through. How much better would the Braves have been this year had he not played? Can’t say, but he had plenty of two out, runners on, at-bats that he blew. Everyone slumps, but this was worse than that. Chipper pulled through to have one of his best years ever. AJ — see ya later without a tear in my eye or any regrets.

By caveman44

December 6, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

 The earlier DUI reference by Non Chopping Brave doesn't apply to Andruw, it does however apply to Rafael Furcal.  
 I will miss Andruw greatly.  He is the finest fielding center fielder to ever play the game and I saw Willie Mays play in person.  Andruw is a true artist with his glove.  With a bat he did appear to be trying to pull every pitch last year.  I suspect Scott Boras was his hitting coach and not Terry Pendleton.
 The Braves scout their own players as much as the opposition and Andruw's undisciplined approach to hitting is his major flaw.  Will he change his ways of hitting?  Probably not, but number 25 was one of the most distinctive Braves in their history.

By braint

December 6, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

rhino - again, for the 12 millionth time - the Braves could not dump Hampton’s contract! Move on! It was guarenteed money! Would people please stop with the Hampton contract….We couldn’t have used that money to sign ‘Druw! Geez!

By cityofdecatur

December 6, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Good Luck Andruw! I wish u well but your agent had he not been so over the top with his boasting might have keep you in Atlanta. Ask Glavine how much he loved NYC while his family was here. You may have just sold your soul for a few sheckels ($). After taxes and Boora$$’s commision how much more did you really get. And for all you Torre is a Great manager fools remember how he destroyed our team in the 80’s and how he hasn’t won a WS since 2000 with a nearly quarter of a BILLION DOLLAR PAYROLL. GOOD LUCK ANDRUW spend your money wisely cuz’ if you don’t change your attitude toward the game this is your last contract of any worth. P.S. that grin didn’t bother me but the lack of clutch hits did. You WERE a great defensive center fielder but as you get older dedication to the game rather than raw talent is what must get you thru the day.

By bd

December 6, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

How quickly everyone forgets how much fun it was to watch Andruw patroling center.

Good luck Andruw.

By acblow

December 6, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

I’m glad he’s gone!! Now I can cheer for the Dodgers!!! The entire Braves organization is horrible. Why don’t the Braves get any Blockbuster activity!! They only lose players!! Bringing back Glavine won’t bring back the old days. Now Druw is going to blowup in LA and the Braves will look stupid. Oh yeah, and what are they going to do with the 755 Club?? Name it Old Record Club!! That was the only thing the Braves had going for them and now that’s gone. Its about to be 2008 Braves fans and unless they bring some talent in and start spending some money they will be holding on to 755 and One World Series. Good Luck Druw!! I’ll wear your jersey. If you like this comment then check out the one on the Falcons and the Hawks!!!

By pat

December 6, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

18 mil a year for a .220 hitter. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! What a rip….The dodgers are dumb.

By wowzas

December 6, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

Hate to see Druw wearing a different blue, he was a great player while he was here (except for last year he sucked).

By Andy

December 6, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

NonchoppingBrave, I thought that was Furcal with the DUI.

By Pago Pago

December 6, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

This guy is worth at least $50 million a year, and besides, the poor idiot tkt buyer will pay for this, pretty funny.

By ATLNOLE

December 6, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

Good luck in LA. I do think the Braves got his best years on the relative cheap.

By Bob from Accounttemps

December 6, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

City of Decatur, Hear Hear! Well said and that just about sums it up.

By flychaser

December 6, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

Yes bugwits, we all loved Andruw’s glove and home run power, but he NEVER developed into the hitter his talents suggested he could become. He was a liability in the middle of the order, and almost always choked with his “all or nothing” hitting style in clutch situations. Opposing pitchers could pitch around the guys in front of AJ knowing that he’d strikeout, ground into a double play, etc. Yes, he played hurt, but more importantly, he HURT the Braves more than helped them when he was in the lineup. The fact that the Braves never did much in the playoffs once they got there was due -not totally - but in large measure to Andruw’s inability to hit in clutch situations. Definitely a Gold Glover, but also an undisciplined hitter. The Braves are better off without him batting in the 4, 5, or even 6 spot.

By teheran height

December 6, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

now i just want to know how did Atlanta just get rid 3 good players and they all are black. I can’t believe this!!!!

By dawn

December 6, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye

He’ll never love you, the way that I love you ‘Cause if he did, no no, he wouldn’t make you cry He might be thrillin’ baby but a-my love (my love, my love) So dog-gone willin’ So kiss him (I wanna see you kiss him. Wanna see you kiss him) Go on and kiss him goodbye, now

Na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye

Listen to me now

He’s never near you to comfort and cheer you When all those sad tears are fallin’ baby from your eyes He might be thrillin’ baby but a-my love (my love, my love) So dog-gone willin’ So kiss him (I wanna see you kiss him. I wanna see you kiss him) Go on and kiss him goodbye, na-na na-na-na na na

Na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye

[Fade in]

Hey hey-ey, goodbye Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodby

Enough Said!!!!!!

By Snake

December 6, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

I’m serious that I would not have signed him for 5 million. I honestly think our production in center this year will be a lot higher for around the league minimum. Sure we will lose a little on defense but not enough to pay that big of a difference for a player who will not listen to coaches and try to hit the ball the other way.

By R2D2

December 6, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Great job SB for getting a fantastic deal for a great guy that deserves more than the run-down Brave retread-machine of the 90’s. I hope he does well in a town that loves to win, but will treat him with the respect he deserves for the years he busts his butt for them. Andrew, thanks for the memories man. Peace and blessings to you and your family.

By Ben

December 6, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

I predict Andruw will lead the AL in strikeouts and will keep smiling at the camera after every strikeout.

By Gomer

December 6, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

No, dawn, that was way too much said.

By Carroll

December 6, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

Yea! LOL! Only AJ could lead the AL in strikeouts while playing for an NL team. HA!

By jones

December 6, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Ok Atlanta, again, you got what you wanted. The Braves are a joke. The players you should trade or let go you keep. This is why you only won one championship in 14 years. What an organization. I wish Andrum great success because like most players, you won’t find it in Atlanta.

By Rojo

December 6, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

I believe that MLB actually got the last laugh. Andruw’s actual salary minus bonus payments is down 10% from $13.5 Mil ti $12 Mil from what he made last year with the Braves and his contract length is down 60% from 5 years to 2. Looks like Boras screwed another client over. When will the players ever learn.

By Ralph

December 6, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Good luck, Andruw, I’m glad you’ll not a Atlanta Brave.

By Rojo

December 6, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

If you think Andruw (Curacao) or Renteria (Columbia) are “black”, you haven’t been listening to Gary Sheffield. The Gospel according to Gary is that even Jeter isn’t “black” because he has one white parent. According to Sheff, Latino’s aren’t “black” no matter the color of their skin.

By Nock-A-Homa

December 6, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Goodbye Andruw….thanks for the memories and the smiles.

By braves fan

December 6, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

I find it funny that most of the andruw(NOT FREAKIN ANDREW) so called fans don’t even know how to spell his first name. They come on here criticizing everyone else and expect us to believe they have been watching him for 11 years yet they can’t even spell his name? Personally, I appreciate the great defensive skills he showed while he was here. But just like his offensive skills, his defensive skills were in sharp decline as well if anyone on here really watched the games last season. His arm was mush and he just couldn’t get to the all the balls he used to snag. Andruw is still a good defensive centerfielder but not the spectacular player he used to be. Jordan schafer who might still be one year away has a much better arm and is very solid defensively. That is the real reason the braves no longer needed the services of andruw jones. I hope that he has a big comeback year for the dodgers but know one can really blame the braves for saying goodbye.

By the man

December 6, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

What a bunch of stupid, southern, hicks. Anyone who thinks the braves are better off w/out Andrew, is just dumb, uneducated, and uhhhhhhh… from the south. How about getting rid of over-paid, often-hurt, good for half a season, Chipper Freakin Jones! He’s the overrated, overpaid, BUM! 1st pitch swinging idiot! So is Franceour. Atlanta sucks, and so do their sports teams!

By William

December 6, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

I agree with Rick that Braves fans should be thankful for and have good memories of Andruw’s play in the past 10 years - the man played hard, showed up every day, was popular, a good guy and an amazing outfielder who made highlight film catches on a regular basis. I won’t miss all of the based loaded double play grounders, the three run homers that only seemed to come in games where the Braves were already up 8-1, the sliders you never figured out how to hit and that silly-a@# grin after strikeouts. Good luck, Andruw, for all of the times I screamed at the TV when you whiffed in the clutch, I will miss watching you roam centerfield. Out there, you were an artist and we’re all diminished a little by your departure.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

December 6, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

The Braves will get the last laugh by making the playoff in 2008 and spending the money they saved on Andruw elsewhere.

Andruw Jones is unquestionably a Hall of Fame player in the making.

Boras is absolutely , the most over rated figure in baseball.

By Muggly Other

December 6, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Bradley, it isn’t “deft” agenting by Boras by any means. It’s a simple case of what the nutso owners are willing to give players today.

Colletti got the deal he wanted which was to pay Druw a bit higher salary over the short term than he would have commanded per year of a rediculously long contract. It wasnt agenting by Boras that made this happen. It was written on the wall in such bold letters how far Colletti was ready to go, that I could have gotten Druw that contract!!

Of coures Boras is going to get his money, but it’s more about ego than anything with Boras. The fact is he DID NOT get Andruw the multi year 100 million dollar contract that he said Andruw was worth.

If Andruw is truly in decline (as many think he is) this was his big chance for the long term-vulgar dollar contract. He didn’t get it. In two years if he keeps stinkin it up, he’ll be pressed to make 6 mil a year.

So how is it Boras won?

By archie white

December 6, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

With all the celebs in the stands in lala land, Andruw can really smile while he trots to first, as he hits into his typical double play,

By the man

December 6, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

Why do you hicks keep talking about his smile. You have no idea what he’s thinking about after a strikeout! If he cursed, and threw his bat, guess what? The dumb Braves would have gotten rid of him a long time ago because they don’t like players with an edge/attitude. They want “character” guys… what a joke! Character/smaracter… That is why Atlanta’s sports team will NEVER be winners! Chipper Jones (out of wedlock babies) has character? Bobby Cox (beats his wife) has character? Dan Heatley (kills a teammate) has character? BTW… Chipper BrokebackMountain Jones hit(s) into just as many double plays with his 1st pitch swinging than Andru ever did! ATLANTA SPORTS TEAMS SUCKS!!! and so does anyone born in the South!

By Tommy

December 6, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

I am just glad he is taking his .222 average somewhere else. He is a great defensive center fielder, probably the greatest ever. If he would have ever learned to hit the ball where it was pitched he might have been a pretty good offensive one as well but, alas, he either refused or was simply unable to do so because as a rule he tried to pull every pitch and became a joke at the plate. He might hit 240 in Los Angeles, but he will never hit much over his weight unless Joe can do something that the Braves could not. I hate that he choose to hook up with that low life agent. I still wish him well, but rubbing elbows with that sleaze bag took much of the luster off his apple as far as I am concerned. Of course, even with the .222 average I would rather have him back than Turn Coat Tommy.

By ScottPeterson

December 6, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

The Braves just dumped two of their top 5 players in Andrew Jones and Edgar Renteria. Why dont they get rid of Chipper Jones, John Smoltz and Jeff Francoor their 3 other top players. I understand that the Braves are on a campaign to unload their black ballplayers so it is understandable that the white players are safe from leaving. But to get rid of Willie Harris, Andrew Jones and Edgar Renteria is simply plain stupid. Edgar and Andruw will both make Baseballs Hall of Fame someday and that is 2 out of those 3 ballplayers. Then, of course, the Braves will finish in last place this upcoming season and I will be watching Wild Kingdom instead of watching the Braves. The Braves management are fools to allow this to happen. I can understand if the Braves went out and acquired Ken Griffey, Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds, then I would understand the reason for letting go Willie Harris, Andrew Jones and Edgar Renteria, but the Braves let those 3 guys go and ended up with nothing in return. That is just plain stupidity in its highest form. Andrew and his agent scott boris are laughing all the way to the bank. Andrew is a certain hall of famer and scott boris has ruined more teams than you can shake a stick at. But since Andrew continually hit below the Mendoza line he couldnt be offered a decent salary from the Braves. Andrew has continued to hit between .150 and .210 for the last 10 years and we simply cannot pay anyone with that pathetic and anemic production with the bat a salary comparable to Alex Rodriguez. Andrew has literally hit himself out of the league and should have been kicked out of baseball for such a pathetic showing but scott boris is known for getting guys money who should literally be welfare recipients.

By the man

December 6, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

You’re just a bunch of jealous, southern hicks! Are you little babies mad cuz Andruw makes more than 99.999999% of any of you will EVER make? Let me guess… he doesn’t deserve it, but Chipper or Franceour or Smoltz or Glavine would certainly deserve it, huh? WRONG!!! Quit beating around the bush and say why you really don’t like Andruw. You coward hicks!

By Tommy

December 6, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

As for “the (insignificant) man” and his obvious hatred for the South and most of the Braves and apparently all of our other sports teams, let me quote a late great Southerner Lewis Grizzard who gave this sage advice to those of Northern origin who obviously don’t want to be down here amongst us “hicks; “Delta is ready when you are.” I feel fairly certain that I speak for many on this board when I invite you to take your bitterness and bile back wherever you came from. We don’t care what you think. This IS the South and all of us who are from here and many more who have moved down and joined us are mighty thankful to be here.

By TennesseePaul

December 6, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

No, Boras doesn’t get the last laugh. Andruw wanted to stay a Brave and Boras “negotiated” him out of the team. Boras was only able to squeeze in a no trade clause for a player who is on such a short contract, trading is pointless and who’s annual salary would be prohibitive to trading if it were even attempted. The contract duration and amount is more a result of AJ pressuring Boras to at least let him play ball with his best friend in Atlanta since Boras wouldn’t let him play ball in his own back yard.

The totality of what Boras missed out on depends on when you set the starting point for the contract expectations.
In 2005/2006 Boras was talking franchise player and aiming to score AJ a deal that would carry him into a comfortable retirement. This would suggest an 8 to 10 year deal. Boras’ talk of franchise player and comfortable retirement alluded to 20-25 million a season salary. This would put the contract value at 160 to 250 million dollars. That was in 2005/2006. Compared to that, Boras failed Andruw Miserably by missing out on 6 to 8 years and 130 to 220 million dollars.

Going with the 2007/2008 offseason chest pounding Boras was doing, the contract aim was still to be a long term deal of at least 5 years. And the annual rate was going to be around 20 million a year. That overall value would have been about 100 million dollars or more. Boras failed Andruw Miserably on this accord as well by missing 3+ years and nearly 70 million.

Going by Boras’ consistant denial of AJ ever seeking anything other than a long term deal and no shot of a short term deal, Boras failed miserably.

And lastly, Boras doesn’t get to apply his patented opt-out clause to this deal which deminishes the media coverage for AJ when he next becomes a free agent.

Boras lost on this one. He’s been scolded by MLB for attempting to up-stage the World Series. He lost on A-Rod. He lost on Kenny Rogers. He lost on Andruw Jones.
The winner of this is of course the Dodgers. They aren’t trapped into a long term mega deal crippling the growth of the team. And they can afford over paying players so they won’t hurt financially. But have no doubt, Boras isn’t laughing. He got a nice pay check himself, but nothing like what he thought he would get. This is his single worst off-season in his career. Only fitting it follows AJ’s single worst regular season.

By Andy

December 6, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

Who cares? Baseball’s TV ratings continue to tank and if it weren’t for corporate ticket sales the stadiums would be 1/2 empty.

Baseball is soooo last century.

By TennesseePaul

December 6, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

The Braves just dumped two of their top 5 players in Andrew Jones and Edgar Renteria. Why dont they get rid of Chipper Jones, John Smoltz and Jeff Francoor their 3 other top players. I understand that the Braves are on a campaign to unload their black ballplayers so it is understandable that the white players are safe from leaving

ScottPeterson: Please tell me you are not as stupid as the post you just submitted. You can’t be that dumb. There is just no way that you are that big of an idiot.

Oh wait a minute, you can’t even spell Andruw’s name even though it is in the title of this column and he’s been playing in the city of Atlanta for over 10 years.
By the way, AJ is from Curaçao. He’s Dutch. Renteria is Columbian.

By QUIT CRYING

December 6, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

To the uninformed fans of a particular pigmentation who are complaining about the braves letting “two black ballplayers” go. Duma$$es, rent is being replaced by escobar who is black and the leading canidate to replace andruw is recently acquired josh anderson who is also black. The real problem is the fact that american born black baseball players suck! Only about 10% even play in the major leagues so don’t blame the braves for not having any because their aren’t any. Do you here hawks fans complaining because there aren’t any white players? Hell No. Atalanta is the embarrassment of the entire south because we have so many crying a$$ lazy blacks on welfare. Blacks up north educate themselves and go out and work hard to try to get themselves a piece of the pie. Not down here in the south CRY! CRY! CRY! I guess thats much easier than working hard to make something out of yourself.

By TennesseePaul

December 6, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

mike: The funny thing is that all you hater’s salaries put together won’t equal Andruw’s salary for 1 year

Good point. If per chance a poster on this blog makes more than AJ in one season, would that make it alright in your eyes to be “a hater”?

By the man

December 6, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

Uhhhhh, TennesseePaul… WTF! Shut the hell up! 18 mil, 19 mil, 25 mil. Still more money than you or any other idiots (except me) on this blog will EVER see! You nuts need to quit trying to pick apart his contract. HE’S RICH!!! 4EVER!!! And why are you mad at Boras? Because he’s doing what he’s paid to do? Are you mad at the CEO’s of major corporations that steal money from their own employees? That lie on their taxes for money? That dupe the American consumers and stockholders for even more money? GET A LIFE YOU SOUTHERN HICKS!!! BTW… The Georgia Bulldogs also suck! They don’t deserve to play for national championship. They’re not even recognized outside the state of Georgia. Hey Bullpups, you’re only good in your OWN minds. The national sports media(s) aren’t impressed! It’s all about “what have you done lately”, and your answer would be… NOTHING!!! Quit your crying!

By JohnGTFan

December 6, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

I love the morons who use race whenever they don’t like something. It was society and white people, not Vick, who was responsible for his short-comings. Society and a white GM is ridding the Braves of all the blacks. LOL You people are funny. And for the record, I’m neither white nor black. The ONLY reason, you bumbling idiots, why ATL did not attempt to resign “ANDRUW”, who is not BLACK, morons, is because he..ready for this…may be difficult for you to understand this…was because….this will be tough…plz try to keep up…HE WAS NOT WORTH IT! His best years are GONE. That’s it. It truly is that simple. I’m sick of “fans” in ATL always using race. You’re all pathetic. If you aren’t happy with who you are, improve yourself instead of always using race as a fall back. Every racist idiot out there…white, black, hispanic, asian…whatever…when you use race…you’re only showing how ignorant and pathetic you truly are. Look at baseball for what it is…A BUSINESS. The Hawks have…what…maybe one white player(not American)…what if they trade one or two players(have to be black, because there are no white players)…are they now being racist also? Jack-asses.

By Muggly Other

December 6, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

You can have Andruw for 18 mil a year or you can have any of these players for their current salaries:

Carlos Beltran 13.5 mil

Manny Ramirez 17 mil

Vlad Guerrero 14.5

Alphonso Soriano 10 mil

Magglio Ordonez 13.2

Non-outfielders

Albert Pujols 12.9

Jimmy Rollins 8 mil

Lance Berkman 14.5

If Andruw is worth 18 mil now, I wonder what these guys would be worth if they were negotiating today?

By DavidM

December 6, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

First, Andruw is being paid $8million for the first year, not the $20million Boras promised. There is a $12million signing bonus (so it looks like $20million for the first year), the second year is the difference, a little over $12million) - so Boras got him a lot of money over a very short period of time and if he tanks after two years, his days of big contracts will definitely be over - no seven year deal to give him $100million guaranteed. That said, did Andruw get what he wanted, not what Boras wanted. Apparently he wanted to stay here for one year at whatever arbitration got him. He loves this city. Boras, the great agent, could not and probably would not try to satisfy his client’s own desires because it would have made Boras look weak and ineffectual. So Boras has the last laugh by falling $70million short in his promised contract and Andruw plays in LA a team he vetoed in trade talks last year.
THe Braves were finished with Andruw and got what they wanted - his money to use elsewhere. Boras got what he wanted. A big fee. Did Andruw get what he wanted - nope - so whose laughing now?

By die hard braves fan

December 6, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

If there is any truth to Boras whom must have learn from Drew Rosenhogrus (TO’s Agent) and whomever was Mike Jordan’s agent(who set the standard to become greedy super sport agent)

Andruw could have stay in Atlanta if he have a rich friend in Buffet like his boy A-Rod since they share the same agent.

Andruw could have set ok let do an one year deal for $10 million with 10 million incentives. He could got that $$$$ in Atlanta.

Now he a traitor and I will boo him and Raffie behind everytime they come to Turner’s Field.

Boo him for being a sellout

I still dont understand why we left Edgar go?!?!

C’est La Vie!

By This Gets Old

December 6, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Typical “I don’t know my arse from a hole in the ground” comments from Atlanta fans.

With this signing and with letting Mahay (sign him and if Gonzalez comes back healthy then trade him.)leave the Braves said goodbye to Texira and maybe Francouer. What was a down year for Andruw here would have led the Dodgers in the power categories.

The Braves now only want to be competetive or what will pass for that. Another third place finish if they’re lucky. Glavine as an innings eater…The innings still get pitched it’s how many runs are allowed during those innings. It’s not a team built to win the WS or even make the playoffs.

By Not Einstein

December 6, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

Let me take this opportunity to once again remind ALL of US that when these grossly overpaid athletes sign grossly rich contracts, it is NOT a reason for the average fan to celebrate. Who do you think pays for these prima donnas? Check the ticket, memorabilia, parking, hot dog, beer, etc. prices, and how they compare to years’ past…it’s past time to revolt!

By Danimal

December 6, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

He picked up 9 million the first year..No he picked up 11 million! People!!! we are talking millions here.This man is so rich, he does not need to hit another baseball and his family and his family’s family and their family will live happily ever after. Only in America.

By Kelley

December 6, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

It will be so odd next season to look out in centerfield and not see Andruw out there. I love baseball and try not to get turned off by all the over paid athletes involved, but it is getting harder and harder to stomach players such as Andruw leaving town just to pursue more money.

As a Braves fan, it was like I kept waiting for Andruw to have that “big year” and it never came. Even when he had the year when he hit all those HR in one season, he was still terrible in clutch situations.
What was average last season with runners in scoring position? 100? That is not worth 18mil a year, bottom line.

I will miss watching Andruw in the outfield, won’t miss him hitting into double plays everytime he comes up w/ runners on though.

I wish Andruw well. The Braves still have their most important member-Bobby Cox, I feel fine about the Braves until he retires.

By dadgum

December 6, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

Scott Boras is what is wrong with sports. Andruw Jones if you are reading this you can kiss my rear. You will NOT BE MISSED! I will take Jordan Shafer starting day 1 and bet he is better for the Braves than you were. Oh and we save 13 million to boot.

Yeah Bradley think Boras is laughing to the bank well that big sigh of relief is the Braves exhaling. Nobody in sports cares about Boras and let’s hope AJ and others will ditch him.

By kool$kat

December 6, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Does anybody else remember and wish for the times when you could memorize a team’s batting order and rotation because it basically stayed the same year after year? When players were dealt and acquired based on potential and/or performance, not on dollars? Yeah, I’m a hater - I’ve been hating free agency since the 70s!

By TennesseePaul

December 6, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

“the man”: Please wipe your hands before you type. Remember you promised to restrict your pork intake to 6 servings a week.

By Steve Avery

December 6, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

Come on, people. Why is everyone so one-sided on this?

These are the facts: 1) Andruw Jones gave the Braves some great years, but last year was not one of them 2) He is a great centerfielder, even if he has missed a step 3) There are many other great centerfielders in baseball today 4) Andruw Jones is not worth $18 million, but then again, no one is worth what they are paid these days in baseball 5) The Braves will be just fine at centerfield next year 6) Not signing Andruw will make it easier to sign a much better player named Mark Teixeira 7) Whoever said we should have kept Andruw and get rid of Chipper does not know one thing about baseball

Bottom line: Andruw gave us some great years, but it was time for him to go. End of story.

By Groundball to Short

December 6, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

LA overpays for A. Jones by about $33 million, the Braves go on the cheap, and you can forget the Braves winning another east title, much less the NL championship. The new owners are in it for the tax write offs and future resale value. The Braves are going to become the Kansas City of the NL, replacing the Pirates as the cheap team of the NL. Their trades, for relievers with ERAs over 5 and 6, and hitters with lifetime .230 averages. You can kiss Tex gone, cause they are not going to give him $18-22 million per year. If they are out of it by July 31, then Tex is gone for prospects. The Atlanta Braves will have more young players than the Richmond Braves. The 1990 and early 2000 Braves will be a very distant memory. The Atlanta Cheaps will be a better name for them, with a big $ sign in a circle with a line through it will be on the front of their uniforms.

By Swing and a Miss

December 6, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

Andy Jones as Bobby loves to call him, will bounce back in 2008. He’ll hit about .238, smack 22 HRs and drive in about 88 runs. His strikeouts will increase to about 195 however. ANY PITCHER who throws Jones a fastball over the middle of the plate should be fined. Any simple fool knows the guy cannot hit a breaking ball off the plate, and good ole Andy LOVES to swing at balls in the dirt and out of the strike zone. Andy is slowing down. Sure he plays a good CF. But, in watching nearly ever inning of all the Brave games this year, one of the first things I noticed was that he did not seem to cover the ground he used to cover. Sure he makes the great catches, but that is of balls he could get too. More balls seemed to find grass on him this year in my humble opinion. I have been watching the Braves since the day they hit Atlanta and while he has been the best CF in their history on defense, his defense in this old fan’s opinion, is dropping off. His hitting for average never was there.

By braves fan

December 6, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Groundall to short or should I say mental retard, the braves payroll has already increased by ten million dollars over last seasons. Do you need me to tell you where the payroll is at right now? You don’t even have a freakin clue do you? Liberty media is actually spending more money on player salaries than time warner and we are no where near the bottom of the league in payroll. Why come on a blog and make an idiot out of yourself when you have no earthly idea what the hell your talking about.

By Unbiased_Blogger

December 6, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

What is wrong with you people? Tell me where can you pencil in a center fielder that will get you 30-50 homers and 100+ rbis and a golden glover? This city is so screwed up. How many golden gloves has Chipper Jones earned? I’m glad Andruw Jones will go somewhere, he will be appreciated. The Braves will be luck to get 15 homeruns and 70 rbis from his vacant position. Incredible city!

By Glenn

December 6, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

Like my late father said…where is your check from the Bravos?…Don’t like life without Andrew?…leave.

By Wayne in Utah

December 6, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

DavidM Right on the button!

Let’s take a look at some recent Dodger signings: Raphael Furcal, Jason Schmidt, Juan Pierre, and now Andruw Jones.

Good luck Dodger fans.

By Enough

December 7, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

You have to like what the Dodgers are doing. I know I’ll wish the best for Andruw and he should have a comfort level with Furcal and Betemit out there. The Braves are without a doubt the lightest team in baseball and haven’t really been the same since that transition. Remember the glory days was Pendleton, Justice, Nixon, Deion, Gant and a good diverse mix that made it truly a good representative of Atlanta. Now its Alpharetta’s team, strictly corporate and not the same fire. Heck, Chipper would be the first to tell you that this team lacks soul. He had that swag about his game when he came aboard. The transition is complete and you see the results. No speed, lack of ability to generate runs other than the long ball. It’s not racist just funny how the guys of color are treated when let go. Heck its not Druws fault the free market system worked to his favor. The GM made it clear they were not going to even get in the bidding. The man left a lot of good memories and his defense missing with this suspect mix of older worn down pitchers and unproven young guys, the Braves will revert back to the 80’s. The legacy is over and it’s back to living at the bottom of the division again.

By Rojo

December 7, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this

By the way all you “Andruw was great for the Braves” folks, he was NOT even on the 1995 World Champion Braves team. He was and probably still is a great player but never took a team on his back and carried them to a WS Championship like some players who earn less (can you say Manny?)

By Stay at home fan

December 7, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this

Bye Andrew, don’t forget to take those bats with holes in them with you.

By Stay at home fan

December 7, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this

Bye Andrew, don’t forget to take those bats with holes in them with you.

By will

December 7, 2007 5:01 AM | Link to this

I’ll tell you who I miss…Otis Nixon!, bring back Otis. A most entertaining man regardless what his on field numbers are. We need more levity in baseball, and Otis is pure fun!

By mark

December 7, 2007 6:25 AM | Link to this

I just had a thought…Santana in Atlanta…it sounds good…I like it!!! Say it a few times it sounds even better think how those 300.00 seasts will sell Santana in Atlanta…It would bring back that feeling we all had when Maddox became a BRAVE!! SANTANA in ATLANTA….sing it !!

By Toe Meets Butt

December 7, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

Horner? I say bring back Al Hrabosky. At least he was entertaining.

By rfsbkr

December 7, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this

It is sad to read all of this negative talk about Andruw. He gave ATLANTA all he had. He was the best center fielder in baseball. But, becuse he is not John Smoltz,( who is 40 plus and making 15 million), or Chipper Jones,( can’t stay in the lineup and has been in decline for years and salary is 12 - 14 million. And by the way, much older than Andruw), the press is doing what it always does, put down anyone who is not white. What did Andruw do that was so bad that you guys have to say all of these bad things about. Are the Smoltzs, Glavines, or Chippers getting any better, yet they are signed and nothing is said. The Braves gave up their 1st round draft pick for Glavine, who happens to be a type A free agent. This free agency typing just shows how prejudice thins really are. Michael Barrett has done nothing as a player, but get traded every year. What is he famous for….fighting. Yet he is a type A free agent and Andruw is type B. Give me a break. Barrett can’t even carry Andruw’s jock. Be honest, who would you rather have, Andruw or Barrett? People stop believing everything you read in the papers, or hear from these bias writers or sportcasters. Andruw doesn’t deserve this. If Henry Aaron couldn’t retire as an Atlanta Brave, ther is no wonder that anyone of color will ever be kept in Atlanta, like the good ol boys.

By rfsbkr

December 7, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

Just look at who the Braves let go of this year. Andruw, Edgar, Willie, and Oscar. Not a white guy in the bunch, but hey, this happens ever year in Atlanta.

By Elmer

December 7, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

A. J. with Torre’s help will reemerge, I predict.He is still an rbi heavyweight.

By AMB

December 7, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

Jones has gotten by on his natural ability without maintaining the physical conditioning necessary to CONTINUE to play at a major league level. Maybe Boras will “force” AJ into proper conditioning - but I doubt it. At the plate AJ was only concerned about homself - not the team. Let the LA folks watch him floss his teeth in the dugout after yet another ridiculous at-bat trying to pull the ball.

By Random

December 7, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

Dodgers got a bargain. Period. The end.

By Jake C.

December 7, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

tiger7_88,

Druw is receiving a 12MM signing bonus. The contract is structured with two years salary and a signing bonus. The total sum is indeed 36.2MM for two years. Get your facts straight.

By scott

December 7, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

aj is a30 somthing has been player he want be missed in atlanta i’m sure of it the big winner is the braves and thier fans we don’t have to watch this smiling idiot pop out or hit into a double play every time at bat. good by it was nice in the younger years 18 mils get real AJ is not worth 6 mils a year your done

By loafer

December 7, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

AJ will only do good if they put big sticks around him. The only reason he hit big RBI’s for us last year was that Chipper, Franki and Tex was around him. He got all the pitches while they tried to pitch around the others. They better have big sticks around him.

By scott

December 7, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

look peoples i’m a african american man , so this isn’t a racial subject AJ suck man he didn’t care if the team was winning or losing he didn’t care about his condictioning he is a fat old cf out thier pictchers made him look stupid at the plate dam the brave did this guy a favor for many years he should have been out of atlanta many years ago go ,good bye smily

By david baird

December 7, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

If the dodgers are stupid enough to give him that kind of money…then who cares. For those of us who have watched this guy for the past couple of years know that most of his Home runs come off second tier pitchers after the game has been decided…he is just not clutch and never has been. Just throw him something off speed low and outside and he’s toast everytime. He can play center…no doubt about that…but at the end of the day I am glad he is gone. The Braves can most assuredly spend that money more wisely than the dodgers just did!

By Forrest Gump

December 7, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

AJ made some contributions to the Braves over the years, but not nearly to the extent he should have considering how much he was paid. Joe Torre will be more demanding than Bobby was, and it will be interesting to follow. Maybe Joe can do something about that stupid grin. Jones will likely hit 20 or more HRs but continue to choke with men on base. The Braves are better off without him. I am not so sure about Willy Harris, though.

By Mark

December 7, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

He was a great centerfielder, probably the best, but all the runners he left in scoring position last year cost the Braves a playoff spot. Frankly, I think all the wear and tear on his body has made him an old man at age 30. He is washed up and the Braves are better off at this point without him.

By john77

December 7, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

All of the AJ haters your not real braves fans your a duma…. if you think AJ wasn’t a great cf even on a bad year he was better than most and about blacks on the braves or any other time for that matter they all have a basketball in there hands or a football so don’t blame the south just because there to dum to hit a fast ball at a 100 or catch a small white ball hit 300 feet in the air

By dack jerrick

December 7, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Boras has had a terrible off-season thus far. Humiliated by A-Rod who went around him to beg his way back to NYC. B***-slapped by the Dodgers who gave AJ a short contract to give him one more chance to learn how to hit to right field. LA was AJ’s only possibility. Rest of MLB turned their backs. Hopefully, this is the beginning of MLB taking control of their finances long term.

By Random

December 7, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

TennesseePaul—

Nice seeing your sanity and wit in a different locale.

Btw, from which of “the three states of” do you hail?

By dj

December 7, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Good for you Andruw ! Now, you will do like; Justice, Sheffield, and every other Brave who has left the ATL; and take your game to the next level! May you continue to excel. You deserve all the financial success coming to you - you have earned it!

By rfsbkr

December 7, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

SAY WHAT YOU WILL ABOUT ANDRUW, BUT WHO DO THE BRAVES HAVE THAT WILL WIN A GOLD GLOVE IN CENTER FIELD AND WILL DRIVE IN 100 RUNS. hE STIKES OUT A LOT, BUT SO DOES JASON GIAMBI. PLUS HE’S NOT ON STERIODS. GO ANDRUW. WHO COULD THE BRAVES COUNT ON BEING IN THE LINE-UP EVERY DAY. CHIPPER, YEA RIGHT. EVEN SMOLTZ SAID AS MUCH LAST SEASON. WHO CHEATED WITH THE HOOTERS GIRL. NO ONE IS PERFECT

By Robert

December 7, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Why so down on Andruw? He played everday, caught everything hit his way and out of his way. You can’t say that about Chopper Jones. When Andruw is busting his butt, Chopper is on the DL. That is the Jones that should have been run out of town

By Jerry

December 7, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

It is my belief that Andruw was injured last year and tried to play through it. He never looked comfortable at the plate. He still had production numbers that will be difficult to replace and his defense was second to none. By anyone at anytime, including Willie Mays. I think the Braves deserve to get there teeth knocked in. McCann’s skills have already eroded in just a couple of years. He is poor defensively and slow. And with all the injuries, he can’t hit worth beans either. And the new kid on the block at short stop needs at least one more year of seasoning. Mental mistakes (rookie mistakes). Edgar was our MVP last year. Our season ended when he got injures towards the last third of the season. And as good as Texiera is…He will never replace Andruw…and Chipper? How much does he have left in the tank…injury after injury. The only guaranteed super star on our roster in the future is Jeff Francouer. Wow! I feel alot better.

By Mitch

December 7, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

I’m really not sure what to make of the Jones situation. While Boras definitely didn’t get the long term deal he sought for Andruw, in a way, this puts Jones in a strong position. Even if Andruw has a mediocre year this year, if he goes out in 2009, and hits, say, 270 with 35-40 homers, still possible at age 32, he might well get a three to four year, 20 mil a year deal at the end of 2009. Boras took less now, to get more later, or at least that’s what he’s counting on. Another factor here is that Jones may be going to the ultimate pitcher’s park. While the Dodgers have had some sluggers over the years, they are primirally known for pitching, and while Turner Field was certainly more of a pitcher’s park than the Fulton County Stadium launching pad, the sea level, maratime air at Dodger Stadium, especially at night, might well keep some of Andruw’s balls that would have gone out at Turner, in the park at Dodger Stadium. I think Andruw might have his usual year in 2008, 25 to 30 homers, and maybe 90 RBI’s. I do think the batting average may come up to about .250. If he hits .222 again, that will surprise me.

  Mitch

By TennesseePaul

December 7, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Random: Not sure what “the three states of” is in particular, but I am from SoCal. Cracks me up when I get called a “hick”, I don’t even live in Riverside (aka: Valley of the Dirt People).

By otrain

December 7, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

Andruw has been my favorite Brave. If he makes it to 500 Hr, I will watch with pride as he is inducted to the HOF. good luck Andruw!

By Boo Boo

December 7, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

I wonder how much Andruw Jones’ contract will be worth if he gets banned for steroids? It is obvious to me that he’s growing (at 30) at Barry Bonds proportions … something that is not quite natural. Too bad steroids don’t make you a good hitter. You already have to be able to hit a curve ball. The steroids just make 20-25 mistake popups turn into 350’ homeruns a year. The Braves have had a few steriods boys in the past, with Chippy showing signs of becoming that discus throwing statue they show in the “Just Say No to Steriods” commercials. Ask Javy Lopez how fast the skills can deteriorate. Midgets on steroids turn into second basemen with bad tempers. Tex, being another steroid boy owned by Borras (did somebody mention A-Rod?), might not make it through 2008 with the Braves. If they are wise they will trade him by the deadline and get three prospects that are actually getting tested regularly for steriods. Baseball salaries are on steriods because the players are too. I hated to see Andruw go; but, he left two years ago when his head and butt grew 2 sizes.

By BUSHWACKER

December 7, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

It appears Andruw IS WORTH $18 MILLION A YEAR to the man writing the check!!!

By Braves Fan

December 7, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Good Luck Druw! Thanks for the memories!

By TP9

December 7, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Guess what, all of you bitter losers?

Whatever you want to say about Andruw Jones, he found a way to make millions of dollars. If you didn’t find a way to make as much money, don’t curse his name…curse God’s, for giving him talent. It will do you and everyone else the same amount of good, which is none.

Alternatively, you could focus on making the best of your own life, rather than being mad at the success of others—but that be almost as hard as adjusting your swing, wouldn’t it?

Personally, I wish him the best, and I enjoyed seeing someone genuinely seem to like playing a professional sport.

My .02

By Jeff R

December 7, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

There’s at least two ways to think about the Dodgers signing Andruw: either they’re suckers or they know somthing no one else knows about Andruw. I think it’s the former. Good for Andruw and Boras that they can pry that sort of money out of the Dodgers’ brass. Perhaps Andruw will rebound from his relatively poor 2007, but I believe Andruw’s trajectory will continue down - whether that’s gradual or steep, who knows?

By JudasIscariat

December 7, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

You cant blame Andruw Jones for taking the $18 million a year and running with it. Andruw Jones was smart to get the most ruthless and hardball agent in the baseball business Scott Boris. Boris can get any client really wonderful money. Look what he did for former brave JD Drew. Boris got Drew $13 million a year and JD wasnt worth 6 donuts and a bag of chips. Boris got A-Rod $25+ million a season and Boris could get a bum living homeless under a bridge $10 million a season so you CANT BLAME ANDREW JONES FOR TAKING $18 MILLION DOLLARS A SEASON BECAUSE ANDREW JONES IS NOT A FOOL. ANY HEALTHY AMERICAN CITIZEN WOULD HAVE SIGNED ANDREWS DEAL FOR $18 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR UNLESS THEY WERE BRAIN DEAD OR INFECTED WITH ALTHEIMERS DISEASE.

By MotherTeresa

December 7, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

I think Andrew is one of the most UNDERRATED ballplayers of his generation. If you REALLY want to know what Andrew Jones’ worth is you need to ask Bobby Cox his former manager. Cox knows how great Andrew is because Andrew has done something that no other ballplayer in major league history has ever done including Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey, Jr. Andrew Jones has won 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards in center field. What this means is that Andrew Jones has been the best defensive center fielder in the history of the game of major league baseball, period. Baseball has never had a center fielder as skilled defensively as Andrew Jones. Jones’ steller defensive performance may put AJ in the HOF if Jones can manage to get to 500 home runs in his career. I believe jones is somewhere around 375 home runs so he is getting close and he is still young. I say if Jones makes it to 500 home runs and his lifetime batting average was .000, Andrew still gets into the hall of fame for hitting 500 home runs and winning 10 consecutive gold glove awards in center field, something thats never been done before. The Dodgers felt he was worth $18 million a season and that is what they will be paying him next year. If you asked my opinon of Andrew Jones in his career I would say Jones has underachieved because I felt that Jones was capable of hitting .300 but only did it one time if my memory serves me correctly. Jones should have been a lifetime .300 hitter and that certainly would have put him in baseballs HOF.

By Greg

December 7, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

Why did the Braves rid of all their African Americans. I still support you, but man!

By mr.write

December 7, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

Andruw is not on steroids, he’s on carbs. Andruw is a great defensive outfielder with an aging arm. Andruw thinks every at bat is Home Run Derby, and has never used the considerable talent he has to full advantage. He plays hurt, but he also hurts any lineup that has him in the 4, 5, or 6 spot. Check out his RISP, LOB, and playoff batting averages, and you will see that Andruw is one of the bigger reasons why the Braves never did much in the playoffs once they got there over the past 10 years or so. Andruw will help the Dodgers defensively, but hurt them overall with his hitting. All things considered, the Braves are better off without him, but I sincerely wish him well.

By BossLady

December 7, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

I think Andruw is work $18 million.

He was always a threat at the plate, you did not know what he was going to do and the other teams gave him that respect. If he got the ball on the bat,(LOL) it was a homerum, double or productive hit.

This is my personal opinion and if there is a difference with others then we can agree to disagree.

All this junk about racism and the likes is just what it’s worth ZERO

By Jeff321

December 7, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

The Dodgers better hope Andruw Jones catches a lot of balls out there.. because he sure isn’t going to throw anyone out.

By Justin

December 7, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

The comments on these blogs by white racists just proves that racism is still running rampid through the good old USA.

By Mark

December 7, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

The Braves Organization and Fans will never ever show appreciation for an African-American or player of color, no matter how well he does. They’ve traded every player of color starting with Gant in the 1990’s. Once they obtain a black man with a good arm they get rid of him so he doesn’t show up the great white Chipper “Larry” Jones.

By Johnny Rocker

December 7, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

Andruw Jones is NOT African-American. He played for The Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.

By Johnny Rocker

December 7, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

MARK:

The Braves did not trade Ron Gant. In 1994, Gant broke his right leg in a motorcycle accident and the Braves ended up releasing him. He didn’t play again until 1995. That year after releasing Gant, the Braves tried out a couple of black players to take his spot in the outfield: Mike Kelly (who happened to be a 1st round draft pick) and Tony Tarasco. I believe the Braves also drafted a black player in the 1st round this past year as well.

It also sounds like you are on drugs because the Braves would have gotten rid of Andruw Jones years ago if they didn’t want someone of “color”. And they never would have traded for Edgar Renteria, Rafael Soriano, Ray King, Gary Sheffield, Reggie Sanders, Kenny Lofton, etc.

Furthermore, do you not remember who won the National League MVP in 1991? A black man named Terry Pendleton who is currently the Atlanta Braves hitting coach and quite possibly the future Manager after Bobby Cox retires.

Please keep your mouth shut until you learn the facts.

By Mark

December 7, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Johnny Rocker your post doesn’t prove a damn thing. Like I said, the lily white organization called the Braves looks for every opporutunity it can find to trade black players. Now if you are trying to make a point about a Black MVP from SIXTEEN YEARS ago then your point is no lame. Who have they kept or honored since then? I could go on and on, Justice, Griffith, Lofton, Sheffield…But now tell me how many white players they traded.

Now you shut your freakin mouth!

By DrewAnderson

December 7, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

The comments about racism are real and have complete credence. Exmaple, what do Dion Sanders, Ron Gant, Ray King, Garry Sheffield, Kenny Lofton, Reggie Sanders, David Justice, Otis Nixon, Edgar Renteria, Willie Harris, and Andrew Jones all have in common? These are all examples of black ball players who were shown the door because they couldnt transform themselves into white ballplayers (similar to the way Michael Jackson transformed himself from a black guy to a white guy). Turncoat Tommy Glavine is welcomed back with open arms, while future hall-of-famers Edgar Renteria and Andruw Jones are swiftly moved off the team. The only difference I can see with the naked eyes is that the ballplayers who remain are white and the ones who are booted out are black. Pure and simple. You are sent back to the plantation and and onto the cotton fields if you are of color and you are celebrated and held in high esteem and high regard if you are lilly white as the driven snow. I never thought that the Braves were racists until they got rid of Edgar Renteria who finished just a couple of points behind Chipper Jones for the batting title. Why in the name of God would any baseball executive get rid of a .350 hitter who is a gold glove at his position. Those are the players that EVERY baseball executive wants on their team unless they are of a color that is not accepted by white america (namely black ballplayers).

By Get Real

December 7, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Many of you are a little misguided. First of all, Andruw Jones is NOT BLACK. He is from Curacao. Edgar Renteria is NOT BLACK. He is Colombian. That being said, there are more than a few black players that the Braves have let go of in the past 15 years. HOWEVER, there are many white players they have let go of as well (Mahay, JD Drew, Ryan Klesko, Jeff Blauser, Marcus Giles, Mark Lemke, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Steve Avery, etc). Let’s go through a few black players, shall we? Ron Gant - broke his leg in 94, didn’t hit for average, had an ok career post-Braves. Lofton - one of the biggest jerks (acknowledged by both white and black players) in baseball, a cancer in the clubhouse, who choked in 97 playoffs. Justice - should have kept him, solid player. Reggie Sanders - over-rated, very expendable at the time. Sheffield - probably should have kept him, but Braves were cutting payroll and he was looking for big $$$. Deion Sanders - give me a break, not a skilled ballplayer, but an average utility player, played above his potential for one year only. Otis Nixon - was aging, never did much post-Braves. Ray King - not worth the $$$. Overall, many of these players were some of the Braves’ BEST PLAYERS, but they had to let them go in order to keep PAYROLL in check. They simply became too expensive. You may notice that this same thing happened with Maddux, Glavine, Blauser, etc. Yes, it happened with white players too. Stop being so polarized, and see it for what it is. It’s funny that the Braves have actually MADE TRADES for guys like Sheffield, Lofton, and McGriff, but of course, that’s conveniently forgotten.

One final note: You people who are bashing Chipper Jones are complete morons, and I can’t believe you actually follow baseball. He had one of his BEST SEASONS in 2007, even though he did miss some time with injuries. That’s why he was considered for MVP. You have got to be kidding me. Get rid of him??? He has MANY good years left. Finally, don’t forget that Chipper actually RESTRUCTURED HIS CONTRACT in order to sign Smoltz years back. What other Braves ‘superstars’ have done that? Get real.

By GE

December 7, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

DREW aNDERSON

I COMPLETELY AGREE THAT THE BRAVES ARE A RACIST ORGANIZATION. I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR MONTHS. I HOPE THAT DRUW COMES BACK WITH THE DODGERS AND BEATS THE HELL OUT OF THE BRAVES.

I am finished with them and I hope that Hank is also. I am going back the Jackie Robinson’s Team…The Dodgers.

By dack jerrick

December 7, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

Andruw always had heavy bats around him in ATL. He’ll be expected to carry the load for LA. Totally different. He’ll either excel grandly or go down in flames. He’s a little too old to re-rig his attitude. I smell disaster.

By FiddyFive

December 7, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

A two year contract is nothing. Nobody cares what you make per year anyway. The total amount of the contract is a much bigger deal and 36 million isn’t much in today’s ridiculous market. A-Rod is getting paid nearly 10x as much and though he may be a better player, you can hardly say the Dodgers spent unwisely comparatively. They can easily afford 36 million without it tying up their payroll. And I’m sure the Angels wish they could’ve signed Hunter for two years instead of five at that price. He’s even older than Andruw and after five years with the team, the Angels will be paying 18 mil per year to a 37 year old CF. Any GM would pay more money per year for less years. Long-term contracts are what leave teams hamstrung if they don’t work out, not 2 year deals. This is a very smart gamble for the Dodgers. If it works out they’ve got one of the best power hitters in baseball. If not, I’m sure they’ll try again next year.

By john

December 7, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

I heard that Atlanta was not too baseball savvy and some of you bloggers have confirmed it. 30 is not old in baseball, its prime-late prime. 10 gold gloves does not make for a poor fielder. He will do well in those big parks in the NL West. He is a steal or the Dodgers because his numbers last season are better than anyone in their lineup.

Also, Boras will just make the Braves pay more for Mark next year. He definitely is not the loser in this deal.

By Enough

December 7, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

I agree, time to get behind the Dodgers!

By kj

December 8, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this

We need a all- star black team in Atlanta and we will call them the Atlanta base trotters. They will have a traveling opponent and they will win every game and everybody will love them.

By tb

December 8, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this

There are two Andrew Jones’; the real one, and the Baseball player personna that some of us want to see as a real person.

When I think about the real AJ, my clearest memory is when he chose to have sex with the two or so “dancers” from the Gold Club, in front of the “girls” pimps…managers…bosses….Classic, and that is the real AJ.

The personna AJ never gave ATL or us anything. He was paid astonomical amounts of money to play a game while the world and America are full of starving people who could never afford a trip to the ball-park.

As someone said earlier; “Capitalism at it’s best”.