Braves may consider re-signing Andruw Jones

The Braves could consider signing fallen former star Andruw Jones to a minimal contract if he becomes a free agent this month.

Jones’ agent, Scott Boras, worked out a new deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers that would relieve the team of most of Jones’ salary commitment this season by deferring most of the $21 million he’s still owed from a two-year, $32.2 million contract.

His salary would drop to $5 million this year in the new deal. But if the Dodgers can’t find a team that will trade for him, Boras said Jones would be released and become a free agent Jan. 15.

Any team could then sign him to a minimum salary, with the Dodgers still obligated to pay him the entire amount he’s owed.

The Braves cannot comment since Jones is under contract with another team.

Jones hit just .158 with three homers, 33 hits and 76 strikeouts in 209 at-bats in his first (and apparently, last) season for the Dodgers in 2008.

He reported to spring training overweight, had midseason knee surgery for cartilage damage, was booed from opening day on by Dodger Stadium fans, and was left off the team’s postseason roster.

Since he started to falter badly after the 2006 All-Star break, Jones has hit .209 with 46 homers and a .312 on-base percentage in his past 291 games.

Jones, who’ll be 32 in April, won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves with the Braves through 2007. He amassed 92 homers and 257 RBIs during the 2005-06 seasons, and was a National League MVP runner-up in 2005, when he led the majors with 51 homers.