Andruw Jones turned down Yankees offer

The Yankees offered centerfielder Andruw Jones a minor-league contract last month and Jones’ agent, Scott Boras, turned it down, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed to Newsday on Thursday.

Jones, released by the Dodgers after a horrendous 2008 season, is looking for a major-league contract. If he can’t find one, the Yankees could be a landing point for Jones, who will turn 32 in April.

The Yankees are looking to young players Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner to compete for the starting centerfield job, with top prospect Austin Jackson preparing at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres.

After signing a two-year, $36.2-million contract with the Dodgers, Jones hit three home runs in 209 at-bats (striking out 76 times) and put together a .158 batting average, .256 on-base percentage and .249 slugging percentage in 2008.

SI.com first reported of the Yankees’ interest in Jones, who hit 51 home runs in 2005 and 41 in 2006 for the Braves.

In other news, ESPN.com reported that the Mets have reached out to the agent for free-agent lefty reliever Will Ohman.

The Mets and righthander Elmer Dessens were close to completing a minor-league contract, The Associated Press reported.