ajcsportstalk

By Bryan

October 24, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this

I would love to see the Bravos re-sign Andruw, he along with Francouer and possibly Carl Crawford, man what an outfield.

What are the chances that Blank will re-enter the picture?

By John G.

October 24, 2006 09:21 PM | Link to this

Andruw getting $25mil plus? Ha! Not even the best clutch hitter, Big Papi, deserves that much. Get a clue Andruw!!

By fnreitsma

October 24, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this

scott boras is a real idiot. that’s all i have to say on the matter.

By Dell

October 24, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this

If he were a .300 hitter along with all his other attributes, then he could reach 20+ million per year, but I don’t think he’s worth that much. If I were Schuerholz then I’d find a way to trade him and get something in return. 2 draft picks for a player of Andruw’s caliber is not enough. If the new owners will allow JS to raise the payroll to fit Andruw in, then you keep him, but I seriously doubt that will happen.

By Lemke Fan

October 24, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this

As much as I hate to say it, I figure Andruw should be traded, trade him for young pitchers and rebuild the rotation. Then pray to God that Francoeur, McCann or Laroche can drive in runs consistently.

By SAL

October 24, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this

$20 million per season? Adios, Andruw. Let the trade runors swirl.

By Rally Killer

October 24, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this

Let him walk - better yet trade him for whatever you can. And if you can throw Chipper in there too. The Braves stink with Andruw and Chipper. Use the money the Braves currently throw away to them to get some quality pitching - and that doesn’t mean Tom Glavine. Their bats would’nt be missed. Heck Chipper is hardly in the lineup anymore. Let the Yanks or some other big money team take their big money demands.

By GTNE80

October 24, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

Regardless of what I think or what John Schuerholz wants to do, as long as the Braves are owned by AOL, the franchise will continue to let Hall of Fame talent walk away (e.g., Greg Maddux, Tommy Glavine) and will dump up and coming players when they get enough tenure to negotiate for much above league minimum.

Andruw Jones is a future Hall of Famer. We fail to remember how young the guy is because he’s been here for so long. Anyone who watches the Braves has grown accustomed to seeing Andruw make super-human plays in center field with grace and ease. It seems that any ball that stays in the park is destined to end up in AJ’s glove. He appears to be a team player and is certainly not a boat rocker. He smiles and goes about his business.

Is anyone worth that kind of money? Probably not, but it’s what the market will bear and unfortunately for Atlanta fans, not what AOL will be willing to shell out. So, we’ll probably get to say adios to another superstar. Maybe we’ll be able to sign him for a couple of years at the end of his illustrious career for a “farewell tour.”

The Braves need to be sold. Preferably to an individual or small group of investors that are dedicated to fielding a winning franchise and are not so focused on the bottom line (e.g., Arthur Blank, George Steibrenner, etc.).

I would like to see Andruw play his whole career in a Braves uniform. I want to see Smoltzie and Chipper retire as Braves. I’d have loved to have kept Maddux. I never liked the personality that we got to see from Glavine, but even he deserved to get to spend his career here. The Braves of the 90’s were a memorable part of the lives of Atlantan’s and baseball fans in general. It’s pathetic to watch them slowly fade off to other teams.

AOL and all of their products, including the 2006 Atlanta Braves are mediocre at best. The Atlanta fans seem to be suffering the most and they deserve better.

By t-bone

October 24, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

Andruw Jones has not been in shape for the last 5 years. His tubby butt routinely gets screwed into the ground from overswinging. I don’t recall a really clutch hit since he was a 19-year old rookie in the world series, and has grounded into more double plays than Javy Lopez. Sure he’s got lots of Gold Gloves, but I believe he would not have to dive so much if he wasn’t such a lard bottom drama queen. Can’t hit any breaking stuff, and chases too many bad pitches. Runs the bases poorly and doesn’t hustle. The “Most complete player”? Unless one of the 5 tools of an all around superstar is a fork,that is overblown even by Borass standards. Didn’t Andrew fire this guy last time and sign his deal alone? He knew Boras was asking too much. Let him go.

By Wreckin&Thrashin

October 24, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this

$25 million a year? Bye bye, Andruw. It’s been fun.

By No Freakin' Way

October 24, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this

As much as I love Andruw, if he wants that much money, he needs to get it from another team.

By Harry

October 24, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

Scott Boras is a one man wrecking crew for baseball.

By Joy

October 24, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

This kind of greedy voice coming from his agent is another reason I am glad I quit watching baseball

By Chris McAndrew

October 24, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this

The Braves need owners who are actually willing to pay for some star players. It would bring more people to watch the games, and it would actually give them a chance to win another World Series. As long as they keep the payroll below $90 or $80 million they won’t win another World Series.

By billy g

October 24, 2006 09:49 PM | Link to this

Andru Jones should retire as a Brave…in a perfect world.

However, the money is simply not there. The Braves made a drastic mistake with Hampton and Andru Jones will pay the price. I am convinced that the Braves are the best team for Andru Jones, but he should go for the money. He is a decent man and a phenomenal player. I wish him luck and I look forward to his eventual HOF enshrinement.

The Braves should trade him and get what they can. Sad, isn’t it?

By Gregg

October 24, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this

Agents like Boras are the reason that baseball will have a day of reckoning sometime very soon. I don’t care what kind of bandaid-deal this new CBA may be, it doesn’t solve the problem that MLB does not have a salary cap. No other players’ union in any other sport has fans/league by the cajones like the MLBPA does. Keep letting these salaries get out of control, and you will see judgment day coming really soon - fans will only take so much escalating prices. Agents like Boras are a cancer to our national pasttime, and owners like Steinbrenner who shell out the dough to stack their lineups will only send this once-beautiful sport into a dark age. Every temorary labor agreement now just delays the inevitable.

By Craig

October 24, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

He is worth every dime! Sign him now!

By JS

October 24, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this

As much as I like Andruw for the way he handled his last contract, he is in no way worth $20M or more a year. For that kind of money he needs to hit .300+ on top of the 100 RBI’s & 40 dingers. Its amazes me how a guy like Andruw who has been beloved and embraced for 10 yrs will forget about that to get a few million extra with a bloodsucker like Boras. Maybe if I was in his financial league I would get it but I don’t. Wait until New York fans or Chicago fans figures out his clutch days are long gone.

By Turnin2

October 24, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

Guess we’ll see where AJ’s loyalty lies - with the organization or his greedy scumbag agent. If he leaves for the bucks, then so be it I won’t feel bad - and if he stays at a lesser hometown discount as before- then he has my undying loyalty —— we’ll see….

By handy williams

October 24, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this

He is a great player an he need to be payed what he is worth.They will pay anybody else the money they want so why not him.

By DL

October 24, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this

I agree with rallykiller, tell the Joneses, “it’s been real, see ya” Especially, Chipper! That animal singlehandedly turned me off to the braves. Since the 99 world series, having a smile in the duggout of game 4 as we got swept! I will never forget! I told myself, “if they don’t care then I won’t care” Let me tell you, it’s been great ever since! A loyal fan from 1980 till 1999, only Smoltz deserves better. They should trade him to a winner. He deserves a chance for another title. As for the rest, perhaps the spoiled so-called fans in ATL should endure crappy years like the 80’s again, so that we can build a true fan base. To hell with baseball, GO FALCONS!

By tman

October 24, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

Andruw is a 10/5 player, so he can’t be traded. 2007 will be his best year b/c it is his “money year”…..He will be 31 in 2008, the first year of his new contract, so let some other team pay 22M+ for a .265 hitter with bad knees!

By Carl

October 24, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

I say trade Andruw along with Giles and Chipper for some good young talent. Anyone think that Kerry Wood would be a good fit?

By Greg

October 24, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this

Andruw Jones has a tendency to go into long slumps especially when we need him. He’s not worth 20 million. Trade him for pitching prospects and a center fielder.

By J. CLARK

October 24, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this

THERE IS NO BASEBALL PLAYER IN THE WORLD WORTH THAT KIND OF MONEY. THE TEAMS CAN BRING UP ANY NUMBER OF PROSPECTS FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY , BUT UNTIL BOBBY COX LEARN HOW TO MANAGE YOU COULD BRING THE BEST TWENTY FIVE IN THE MAJORS AND HE WOULD SCREW IT UP.

By ken

October 24, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this

you gotta be kidding me. kerry woods is always hurt. as for andruw, see ya. bye. he tends to strike out alot at key times in a game. he sucked in september, and if scott borass is involved, it’s really time to say “adios muchachos”

By Tommy

October 24, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

Scott Boras is a tool.

Carl, I hope you are kidding about Kerry Wood.

By rico

October 24, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

Who cares!

By Scott

October 24, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

I will miss Andrew when he is gone. He will be a Hall of Famer. Think Ozzie Smith with 600+ home runs. He is 29. By the time he is done he will probably have 15 or so gold gloves. That is enough by itself for the HOF. Add all the home runs and the durability and he is one of the greats. It is a shame that payroll constraints will cost us this wonderful player.

By Bo

October 24, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this

Money talks and Andrew Walks. If I was a GM I would never try to sign a Player that Boras had. I would call him a name but you all know what he is? JS needs to find out which teams AJ would ok a trade to and trade him this winter…don’t wait get the best deal possible. Tickets prices would go up another 5 OR 6 dollars if the Braves signed AJ for over 16 million. Crawford in RF would help make up for AJ. Hell, maybe the IRS will stop the sell to Liberty.

By IlliniBrave

October 24, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this

To those who think we can’t go to the World Series with a $80-90M payroll - get a reality check! I’m sitting here watching a WS between two teams with $86M and $83M payrolls, and except for Ordonez ($16M), neither has a player making more than $14M. In fact, Pujols makes $14M and Edmonds $11M, and I’d consider both to be more “complete players” than Andruw. It is simply irrational to pay anyone that much money. The Yankees are a case in point of the folly of overpaying for talent.

Oh, and Boras is an a*, and Schuerholz won’t negotiate with an a*!

Let Andruw and Chipper and Giles and Thompson and Ramirez go, and go spend the savings (approx $40M) on a couple of decent starting pitchers to go with Smoltz, Hudson, and Hampton (though there doesn’t appear to be much available this winter). Re-sign Wickman and Baez and Villarreal and get one more quality middle-reliever. Then let the young talent continue to develop. Maybe we can pull off another Renteria-like trade, but we have a solid lineup.

By Bo

October 24, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this

Sorry, Crawford in LF.

By NumbaOneFan

October 24, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

$20 to $25 Mil per year…. Screw that!!!. Trade him for pitching and whatever else we can get. No one playes is woth that kind of coin. Scott Boras is a cancer and deserves to be diagnosed with a malignant and inoperable highly invasive cancer. Andruw has been a good player but no way. Bye Andruw it been real.

By Paul Hamilton

October 24, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

The Braves should start entertaining offers now. I would love to keep Andruw, but the Braves payroll would be even more handicaped by 20mil plus. The Braves need to focus on their pitching and keep bringing up these kids with talent and a desire to win. Baseball is all about luck and timing in the playoffs, the Braves have just as good of a chance winning it all with an 80 mil payroll, as the Yankees and their stratosphere payroll.

By Krelnick

October 24, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this

Scott Boras is a scum-sucking pig like all agents. They are the ones driving up salaries and killing the game. Never played a day in his life but he’s raking in the cash. Low-life bottom-feeder.

By TD

October 24, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this

there are only one or two teams that would be willing to pay Andruw those kind of dollars, and I don’t see them coughing up that kind of dough for him. The braves have let better players than Jones walk so they can lose him too. It is a shame, but I don’t see anything else happening. When will this sale be completed?

By Kevin

October 24, 2006 11:39 PM | Link to this

I’ve got a better idea….Get rid of Boras, sign Andruw for about $15 mil/yr during 2007, but not until then. Don’t resign Giles and use that 6.5 mil he’d get through arbitration or a new contract and up the payroll a few mil more and sign Soriano to play LF and bat leadoff…Solves an awful lot of problems, and with Hampton coming back the rotation should be near the top in the league.

By Josh

October 24, 2006 11:39 PM | Link to this

It is a shame that we can’t have a 9 digit payroll like the other big boys…..I would love to be able to field a team with a few superstars on it instead of having to establish superstars and then watching them leave for other teams.

By Milton

October 24, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

Why trade Andru? Even if we got young guns (pitchers) and young players for him, we’ll do them like we did the other young players we had. Trade them away. Over Half the National League and American League is former braves players.

By Milton

October 24, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

Trade Chipper’s a*.

By Milton

October 24, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this

Trade Chipper’s azz.

By Bo

October 24, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this

The Blue Jays need 2nd baseman, trade Giles for Alex Rios Good young OF hit 302 17hrs 15sb. They also have another young OF named Reed Johnson hit 319 12hrs either would be a plus. V Wells also free agent better #’s than AJ? Sign Baez for insurance I bet you will need it. Sweet Lou with Cubs also wants Baez,his closer with D-Rays.ILLINIBRAVE I agree with you post 100% Trade AJ tonight.

By Division Titles YEA!

October 25, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

Good riddance to Andruw “swing & miss” Jones. This guy is one of the best defensively but has proven uncoachable at the plate. Let some other team WASTE $20M/year on him. Besides, he is bound to injur his back soon with those uncontrolled swings he has been taking lately. JS made a huge mistake by not unloading him before the trade deadline. The Braves could have gotten something decent in return if they had. Boras had one thing right in his statement saying that the Braves are no longer committed to winning.

By Wedgie Evans

October 25, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

Scott Boras is not an idiot at all, it’s the commissioner’s office that is idiotic for not having the balls to create a more regulated salary structure for the sport. Andruw’s worth more than his current contract, but he’s not worth A-Rod money. If there was a soft salary cap and maximum salaries like in the NBA, resigning Andruw would be a piece of cake. But when baseball has no restriction on the maximum player salary, obviously penny-pinching teams like the Braves are going to be outbid by free spenders like the Yankees. Scott Boras is just taking advantage of a bad situation — maybe that makes him a scumbag to some people, to me he’s just smart.

Ultimately it’s up to Andruw to decide what his true priorities are — if he really wants to stay he’ll be willing to give the Braves a hometown discount. He’s obviously gonna get a raise from his current deal, but he can still make himself affordable if he wants. Let’s not forget that however imposing Boras may be, he’s still just Andruw’s employee, and if Andruw wants to take less money to stay it’s completely up to him to do that.

From the Braves’ point of view, resigning Andruw has to be the top priority for the upcoming offseason and the 2007 season. Andruw’s the Braves’ best player, still in his prime, plays great defense, and at his current pace will probably make the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, the Braves have $15 million tied up in a 3rd baseman who can’t stay healthy for more than 100 games (Chipper Jones) and a #2 starter getting paid $6 million with an ERA approaching 5.00 (Tim Hudson). Trading these two for minor leaguers or MLB players with less than 3 years of service time would free up considerable payroll to resign Andruw, plus leave the Braves the flexibility to extend market-value offers to some of their other young players (Francoeur, McCann, LaRoche, etc.) in a few years when they become arbitration-eligible.

By nick

October 25, 2006 12:12 AM | Link to this

Andruw in “NOT” worth $20M. Even though he has many homers and RBI’s the last two seasons, he struck out a ton, doesn’t steal bases anymore and he is approaching 30’s with more injuries to come. The guy is not at the peak of his game. He is more like declining. He has been in the league in he was 18’s and the wear and tear is begining to shows. I would not be surprise he plays less than 130 games next year. My hope is, he takes a home town discount and retire as a Braves or move on to another team.

By Alan

October 25, 2006 12:23 AM | Link to this

Andruw is by far my favorite player and has been for ten years. I believe he’s a first ballot Hall Of Fame player. I believe he’ll be considered the greatest centerfielder to ever play the game when his career is over. I believe he’ll finish his career with 550+ Home Runs and win 15+ Gold Gloves.

That being said, no single player is worth 20+ million a year. Especially when your team payroll is only going to be around 80 million.

While it would kill me to watch Andruw play for any other team because he’ll be my favorite player until he retires. I’ll understand if the Braves don’t pay him 20+ million a year over the next four or five years.

By Illy

October 25, 2006 12:29 AM | Link to this

Scott Boras is a Plague to baseball and should be banned for life. He is the main reason baseball today sucks and continue to drop in attendance because the players are whinny little brats that need their asses wiped daily. A Jones is worthless and has a life time BA of .275? Not worth 5 a year…

On another hand…screw baseball…lets talk about the 7-1 Thrashers…They know how to play a sport.

By tampaparrotthead

October 25, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this

Trade for Kerry Wood?!? Surely you jest! He’s hurt more than… well more than Chipper… and we all know how much that is.

Even though Andruw is only 29 years-old, he has started playing much older. Let’s face it, the type of defense he plays is very taxing on the body and it’s beginning to show for Andruw. And go ahead and write this down… “Andruw will never be a .300 hitter”. In fact, he’ll never be a .285 hitter. But if he decided to play for ten more years (which will never happen) you could go ahead and pencil him in for 35-40 homers and 110+ RBI’s per year. Such is the life of a traditional power hitter (ie. Mike Schmidt, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, etc.) and that’s what Andruw is. He also happens to be the best defensive outfielder in the game, which is very unusual for a traditional power hitter. With all of that said, Scott Boras will find some team very willing to pay Andruw some big bucks to play centerfield and put up the aforementioned offensive numbers. It’s really sad that it won’t be the Atlanta Braves… unless the new ownership surprises us all with an additional 30-40 million per year for payroll. But even $120 million doesn’t guarantee a championship… but don’t take my word for it… ask Mr. Steinbrenner… who has 210 million reasons why big payrolls don’t necessarily mean more championships.

The fact is that the Braves scored more than enough runs to have made the playoffs… but when you don’t have the pitching to keep the opposition from scoring… well, we saw how that turns out. Signing Wickman was a big step for the ‘07 Braves, but that alone won’t get the job done.

We’re still a couple of strong arms short of another division title and the tin man didn’t have nothing on a couple of our every day players… we could also use some heart out there. Ain’t that right Chipper?

By tampaparrotthead

October 25, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this

Oh, and I was gonna mention this as well. There are several teams… good, reputable teams… who will not draft a player who has retained Scott Boras as an agent. Wonder why?

By ray

October 25, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

I think Andruw has one of those phony birth certificates and is older than 29. At least his recent play looks like it. NOBODY will pay him $20 M. He’s worth much less.

By Chris

October 25, 2006 12:36 AM | Link to this

The Braves main problem has been not wanting to spend money to keep its players. Just think if we still had Gary Sheffeild, Raphael Furcal, Kyle Farnsworth, Wilson Betemit. At this point, bring in more big names to fill the stands. Pay Him!!!!

By Drez

October 25, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this

I’m a huge Andruw fan, but no way in hell is he worth $20mill a year. There’s only about 5 players in baseball that is worht that type of money, and Andruw is not one of them. $20mill for a .265 batting average….BOY STOP!!!!

By Greg in TN

October 25, 2006 12:53 AM | Link to this

Bora$ strikes again……..

I love everything Andruw has done for the team and the franchise from day one, and I watched this blog and shook my head each time someone mentioned trading him. I read each interview Andruw gave to DOB and others and read about his desire to remain a Brave and retire a Brave.

Well Andruw ‘ol buddy, your agent just drew a line in the sand.

Now, I think the man should get paid and paid well for his services. I don’t question his loyalty at all, but I am sure he is very well aware of the economics the team has portrayed in the last few years. I can’t say that I disagree with the line from JS, Terry McGuirk and TW. Just throwing money at a franchise doesn’t mean an LCS or WS berth, right Mr. Steinbrenner?

JS will talk to Bora$ and see what can be hammered out, however with his silly little butt in the picture, I don’t hold out much hope that Andruw will be in Atlanta past 2007. He’s a 10/5 guy, so before everybody begins salivating on sending him anywhere, remember that he does have veto rights.

This just stinks… I’d like to have seen Andruw and Chipper retire as Braves. Chipper may still be able to. I certainly wish Dale Murphy had done so. That stunk too…

The ball’s in your court now Andruw. If you really want to be a Brave, you need to reign in that pit bull you call an agent.

By MAC

October 25, 2006 01:02 AM | Link to this

Andruw is the greatest center fielder ever and a sure HOF player at his current batting pace. What many fans fail to realize is how much his fielding contributes to the Braves pitching, he reduces the Braves E.R.A. solely by his ability to get to balls that no one else can. He gets less credit than he should because he makes it look easy….Edmonds for example makes great plays diving for balls that Andruw is waiting for. Ask Smoltz how much Andruw is worth….SIGN HIM!!!!

By MAC

October 25, 2006 01:09 AM | Link to this

I never liked Boras as an agent, but he is the one who steered Pudge Rodriguez, Magglio Ordenez and Kenny Rogers to the Tigers and look where they’ve gone. Teams will be lining up for Andruw, his contribution goes far beyond his batting average. He is irreplaceable for the Braves in center. Add a half-run per game without him.

By Head Coach

October 25, 2006 01:27 AM | Link to this

First let me say that the economics of baseball stink. The common fan such as myself cannot afford to pay the salaries of todays players. However , The current economic system in baseball says Andruw is worth 20 million a season. If the Braves are willing to tie up 25 percent of the payroll in one player then sign him. The Braves have indicated that the team payroll will go up , how much is anyones guess. Is a .265 35-40 homerun 100 RBI a season gold glove hall of famer worth it ? My gut says yes , my brain says the amount of money being payed out to players today is insane !

By Andy

October 25, 2006 02:54 AM | Link to this

There is no way Andruw will allow any trade period—-I hope(but don’t think) the braves could sign him. Hopefully “only” 15 million per for 5 years.

By Dano

October 25, 2006 03:03 AM | Link to this

Money has turned sports into big business instead of athletic competitions of one team challenging another to see who will put forth the best physical/mental effort.

It is sad to see the almighty dollar ruling theses games instead of the popularity and loyalty of individual players.

No athlete is worth the millions being paid these days. Unfortunately, it is out of control…….Just think of all the people that could be helped if we channeled the money “given” to athletes. Some athletes use their cash to help their community. Even worse are the CEOs that rape companies for their corporate “packages.” So sad, too bad….. God will judge the greedy and mesure their lives by what they did or did not do to help their fellow man.

I watch less and less sports because of the distortion money has created in the true spirit of competition……….

By sports are a waste of time

October 25, 2006 03:16 AM | Link to this

Like Jones has nothing to do with his agent asking for more cash. Greed is alive and well and profits off the ignorant…

By Never Happen

October 25, 2006 03:48 AM | Link to this

The Braves want even consider paying a minority player that type of money. They have a track record of dealing their minority players or cutting ties when its time to pony up to them. And Hi, yes I am a anglo-saxon writing this. Facts or facts though and the Braves do not keep their minority talent around. Grissom, Mcgriff, Furcal, Sheffield, Betemit, J. Dye, Matthews JR., Lofton, when it was time to pay, the Braves sent them away and Andrew will be no different.

By Larry

October 25, 2006 05:40 AM | Link to this

Andruw needs to send Boras packing..

By Steve

October 25, 2006 06:01 AM | Link to this

Let the STRIKE OUT KING GO!!! He may be the best outfielder in basball but he strikes out WAY too much. I’d be sorry to see him go but until Goerge Stienbrenner buys the Braves with bottomless pockets it will never happen.

By Dale

October 25, 2006 06:37 AM | Link to this

Yea the Braves are racist pigs. Please you moron…(Never Happen) go take a long walk off a real short pier.

The Braves should part ways with Andrew NOW! Trade him, ASAP! Torre Hunter, arguably better than Andruw is only getting 12 million a year in his new contract.

Later Andruw, you still are inconsistent and can’t hit for average.

By Greg

October 25, 2006 06:49 AM | Link to this

Never Happen:

That’s the silliest argument I’ve ever heard.

Grissom was at the end of his productive career.

Same for McGriff, as much as he was one of my personal favorites.

Furcal got a ridiculous deal from the Dodgers.

Sheffield was bough by Steinbrenner. Since TW took over, we can’t match his money.

Betemit was sitting the bench and the Dodgers wanted him for pitching.

Jerome Dye was traded for tools that we needed. I can’t remember who. But he was a rookie, and we needed some personnel.

Matthews Jr hit barely over the Mendoza line for us.

Lofton was a clubhouse cancer who didn’t produce when we needed him and spent most of his one season in Atlanta on the DL. He hated being a Brave.

It’s not a racist conspiracy. Schuerholz values pitching over hitting. McGriff himself said that’s why he was let go. And some of the players you mentioned were dealt for pitching or for cheaper alternative position players so we could afford to pay pitchers.

The Braves management is cheap, not racist.

I’ve railed on this forum that we are going to become a second tier team because we can’t afford free agents. What we’ve really become is the Oakland As. We have to let go of all of our free agents, hoping that the replacements will perform. It works for Oakland, but it will never get them a championship. It also strains fan loyalty because their favorites don’t stay on the team. This is the future of the Braves. Actually, it’s been our reality ever since the Braves were bought by TW.

And it sucks.

This offseason will be exactly like last year. We will watch all the good free agents sign with our rivals. Then Schuerholz will make a deal, trading our best prospects for a good but underperforming and unhappy vet like Renteria. That guy will be great. But we will have a hole in our lineup that could have been filled by a $10 million free agent who was signed by the Mets. We will finish third in the division, but as Schuerholz always says, “We will be competitive. Translated: “It will take a miracle for this team to win the Series and a minor miracle to win the Divison.”

A recent poll showed that the Braves were America’s second favorite team to the Yankees. When TBS stops showing the games and the team finishes third in its division for a couple of year, we won’t be in the top 10. And TW or Liberty can kiss all their merchandising money goodbye.

This is the future of the Braves, and it makes me really angry! I hope TW’s executive choke on their $500 dinners.

By KonaSaint

October 25, 2006 06:59 AM | Link to this

Never Happen: so I guess Maddux, Glavine, Farnsworth, JD Drew were all minorities. I don’t think race mattered. The only color that matters is green and all those player were seeking it thats why they were not resigned.

By raymond

October 25, 2006 07:05 AM | Link to this

I hope all the bleeding hearts that were crying for Andruw to be kept a few months ago read the article in the AJC. Trade him and Trade him now, no matter what race he is.

By Alan

October 25, 2006 07:11 AM | Link to this

Hall of Fame player? Shirley you’re not serious. Andruw Jones has as much chance as Pete Rose of making the Hall of Fame.

He’s fat, doesn’t hit in the clutch, no leadership ability unless it’s leading to the food table after the games.

No way he’s worth more than he’s already getting. Trade him for some pitching.

By LJ

October 25, 2006 07:17 AM | Link to this

Andruw could become the best center fielder of all time but he won’t because he’s to lazy. Most of his production comes when the braves are blowing some team out.

By Greg

October 25, 2006 07:24 AM | Link to this

Did I miss something overnight? Did Andruw solve the Middle East crisis or did he find a cure for aids? Twenty something million? Come on you have to be kidding.

By Buzz

October 25, 2006 07:25 AM | Link to this

Call George in New York. He’ll pay and maybe the Braves could get 2-3 good players in return. Andruw may can play defense, BUT EVEN HIS DEFENSE IS NOT WORTH $20M per year. George is getting such a stable of All-stars, that he’ll have to unload some to keep a 25 man roster!

By Cornholio

October 25, 2006 07:28 AM | Link to this

I don’t see too many teams out there who could add that kind of payroll.

25% of one team’s payroll to one player is too much, and not worth it. I’d let him go and use te money to rebuild the pitching and add speed (Carl Crawford).

By Rhonda

October 25, 2006 07:29 AM | Link to this

Surely the Braves has a player in their minor league system that can play great outfield and can hit a little. This money thing rubs me the wrong way. Some players truly have no love for the game of baseball. See ya Andrew!!

By Jesse Jackson

October 25, 2006 07:35 AM | Link to this

If Andruw’s first name were Chipper this would be a done deal - $25 million a year for 10 years. However, being a superstar of African descent, Andruw Jones will be torn between loyalties and what is best for his family. This is unfortunate.

This is just another attempt by the Braves to purge themselves of minorities, whether they be of African extraction, or Hebrew. After Walt Weiss and Jason Marquis were let go, there has not been a Jew on the Braves’ roster.

Keep Hope Alive !

By David

October 25, 2006 07:35 AM | Link to this

I’d love to have Andruw on the Braves team, but not for $20 million per year. If we let him walk, figure out a way to dump Chipper, and rid ourselves of Hampton’s obscene contract we will have a boatload of cash to use to get some good replacements and upgrade some other areas as well (pitching).

I don’t see the Braves’ payroll increasing unless Arthur manages to buy the team, but that seems very unlikely. It may take a year or so, but we can upgrade this team without having to upgrade the payroll. We just have to dump some of these huge payrolls (C. Jones and Hampton) and not overpay (A. Jones) to make it happen.

By love

October 25, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this

somehow he will end up playing for the mets or dem yanks, and end up winning a freaking world series watch.

By RedandBlackAttack

October 25, 2006 07:38 AM | Link to this

If Andrew Jones is adamant about wanting to swing away for the big deal with his schmoozer agent this time, then let him continue to swing away at that wild and crazy pitch that is way off the plate just like he usually does. Hasta lasagna, don’t get any on ya!

Some folks just do not get it and are so short sighted. Andrew unfortunately would fall into that group if he swings for the big one. What is Javy Lopez doing now? Ask his schmoozer agent. How many games has Tom Glavine won in New York city during his three years there? Sheffield still can not hit in post season in New York and has had to learn another position just to get some at bats. Jermaine Dye should NEVER have been traded. The Braves got a better fielding shortstop and a 300 hitter after the Dodgers signed Furcal. JS and the Braves will make do with or without.

If AJ goes, then JS can just call down to Richmond or Mississippi and say, “N-E-X-T!” Gooo Braves!!!

By Don

October 25, 2006 07:49 AM | Link to this

WOW!!! Jesse Jackson…..you need some serious help!!!

Obviously JS needs to look at the trade front but I don’t see you getting a whole lot for a guy that is only under contract for a year. I don’t think a team is going to give up any good pitchers with the HOPES of signing AJ to a long term deal.

I would love to see AJ here for another 5 years but I don’t think he is worth any more then Beltran who will make approx. 17 million next year and I believe only made 13 million this year. Their #’s were VERY similar this year.

By An Andruw Advocate

October 25, 2006 07:51 AM | Link to this

Andruw is worth more to the Braves than Chipper, Hampton, Hudson and Smoltz put together. Lose these overpaid burdens on the Braves’ budget, resign Andruw and go with the kids.

By ChampDawg

October 25, 2006 08:01 AM | Link to this

$20 million for an overweight, .260 hitter. I don’t think so.

By Matt M.

October 25, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this

Comparing AJones to CJones, stupid Jesse Jackson. Different positions, different hitters. Run CJones stats over the number of at bats AJones had, we’ll see who the better hitter is. Defensively, AJones is the greatest, but I think he is kind of weak offensively, except the HRs. Our 4-7 hitters had 95+ RBIs. What would these young kids do with the chances that AJones had. I love AJones, good player, great attitude, makes a HUGE difference in CF, but not worth 1/4 of the payroll. Everybody sees where it got the Texas Rangers. They got better when they got rid of ARod. Look at the teams in the WS. Not 1 guy making over 15 million I think. Those players don’t win, b/c the team can’t afford anybody else. Love you AJones, but if you ask for $20 million, see you later. Its ridiculous how much these players ask for and make. Pay the best $5 million and start charging the fans tickets that cost 1/2 of what they do. I want a salary cap on baseball. It’s starting to p** me off when they talk about their money. Yeah, I’m jealous, but if they sign him to $20+, I’ll go to only a few games instead of the typical 20 a year.

By Fran Topolski

October 25, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this

Andrew is no doubt the best center fielder in baseball and he wins games both offensively and defensively. Remember he was runner-up MVP last year and will remain in contention for years to come . There is no way the Braves should let Jones go because there is no replacement in baseball!!!

By Sean

October 25, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this

Definately not the complete player that Boras seems to think….who has he been watching? I would say see ya Andruw…it’s been fun.

By Bill

October 25, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this

The Braves are not winning with Andrew. Trade him and get some pitching. Until the Barves gets good starting pitching to help Smoltz they will not win.

By BOB C

October 25, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this

Used to think Marvin Miller was the worst thing that ever happened to baseball then that little right fielder that took his place. But this Boras guy is a cancer!

By Jeff

October 25, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

Again, it’s a matter of the math. Given that the Braves are being pawned off on another corporate master (Liberty Media) by its current corporate master (Time Warner) so that each can enjoy a tax advantage, what does anyone think the odds are that the new corporate master will significantly increase the Braves payroll on 2007?

Zilch. They’ll hold the team long enough to meet the requirements of the law in such stock transactions and than sell the team.

The Braves are just a little chess piece in a bigger coporate game.

So, the Braves will have an $80 million payroll in 2007. A. Jones commands $20 million a season. Hampton, Smoltz, Hudson and C. Jones, most notably, will take another, what?, $30 million, easily. That leaves less than $30 million for the rest of the roster.

I’d rather the Braves spend the money on pitching, anyway.

I hope that management gets aggressive this winter and shops Andruw. Boros and all agents talk and bluff alot. The Braves need to try to get value for Andruw this winter.

By Matt M.

October 25, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this

Another thing, AJones the “only complete plater.” I thought a complete player hit with average, hit with power, steals bases, good arm, good glove. That looks like to me a 3/5 of a player.

By carman563

October 25, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this

i quit watching the braves this year, now i remember why, the glory days are gone, the braves should save their money !

By The GM

October 25, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this

Where are all the brain-dead idiots who went into hysterics when the Braves put A. Jones on waivers a few months ago?

Unlike the room-temperature morons who post here on a daily basis, the Braves knew what was coming, i.e., an outlandish contract demand. That’s why they considered trading A. Jones before he gained the right to reject a trade. At least then they could get something for him, instead of letting him walk as a free agent and getting nothing in return.

BTW, folks, don’t spew all of you venom toward Boras. He wouldn’t be making “outlandish” contract demands without the blessing of A. Jones.

The last time his contract was up, A. Jones may have taken less to stay with the Braves, but this will be the last “big” contract he gets, so he will sign with whoever offers him the most money.

One more thing: You people who think that A. Jones is a “franchise” player worth $20 million a year are idiots. He is a great defensive player and a good offensive player, but he’s never been the kind of guy who can carry a team on his back for an entire season.

Besides, the Braves have other positions (mainly pitching) that must be addresseed. They can’t afford to tie up 25 percent of the team’s payroll in a good-but-not-great player.

By Matt M.

October 25, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this

Ajones won games offensively in 2005. One dang year. Everybody loves him for that, why not love Cjones for 99 then. Somebody mentioned that Ajones will be hurt next year with that swing, I agree, he’s gonna slip a disk or something. Easy big boy. By the way, I thing Cjones makes less than $10 per year, I think. Can’t MLB ban Boras, this guy is driving fans away and fast.

By Jrock310

October 25, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this

Hypothetically speaking, I’d pay a guy about $20 million if he could help me get win a World Series. He doesn’t have to lead the league in anything, but I would expect something like .415/62/191 each year, hitting around .899 with RISP, and the ability to steal around 80 bags a year, along with annual Gold Gloves. He’d also need an 90+ heater and a good curve, cause he’s gonna pitch also.

Yeah, I’d give 20 mil for a guy like that.

Kiss our collective butts Boras, leeches like you ruin the game!

By Bill Baker

October 25, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this

No one is worth that much money. It is riduculous to pay anyone to “play” and entertain.

By Vol

October 25, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this

Really annoys me that Boras will bring a lot of animosity to the situation.

The A-Rod contract has really hurt his legacy.

By Ted

October 25, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

Pillsbury may pay him that, but the Braves shouldn’t. There was a time when he was a complete player. High average, great D, speed, stolen bases, etc… It seems like all he does now is swing for the fences. Still plays good D, but strikes out way too much. I would rather see one of the young outfielders play and use that money to get some more arms.

By Shaun

October 25, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

Andruw Jones, while he’ll remain very productive, is not likely to get better. Players generally peak in their late 20’s. Now would be a perfect time to trade him for two or three great, cheap young players.

By Sr.Citizen dog

October 25, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

75 million bucks to play a game ? hello? its crazy to ask for it but even crazier to pay it.

By Braves 20

October 25, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this

BOB C - I assume the “rightfielder” you mention is Fehr. Doubt he ever go that far in Little League. It is no wonder that several teams will not touch a player handled by Boras. May the Braves join that fraternity. AJ is very good if not great but 20 million - get real!

By Shaun

October 25, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

No one is worth that much money. It is riduculous to pay anyone to “play” and entertain.

Is is also rediculous to pay minimum $25-$30 bucks a game to watch someone play?

By Don-Watkinsville

October 25, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this

Andruw … hate to lose him but 20 million/year? How much will our ticket prices go up? America’s Team leaves TBS after 2007; somebody’s gotta pay if he stays.

By Ted L

October 25, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this

As much as we love Andruw - the kind of dollars Boros is speaking of can buy a couple of pretty good ball players. Seems like a lot of money for a .262 season and career .267. With Boros logic if he hits .325 he is in the $40 mil @ year range.

By Gravity Slider

October 25, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this

Don’t look for Andruw to accept any trades this offseason if the Braves attempt to get something for him. Boras wants Andruw to spend his contract year in familiar/comfortable surroundings to give him the best chance of producing big numbers. He will be a Braves for one year and will be gone after that. He is worth nowhere close to $20M/year.

By Skip H.

October 25, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this

Why not!! Since our country, too many if not most of its people, and sho’ nuff the “whole” of “professional sports” are increasingly all about themselves instead of the fans, why not allow AJ the same. If you ask moi, take the number of homeless, hungry and unemployed in Atlanta added to the total of those without health insurance, divided by the crime rate and congestion on the roadways, times the price of a Braves ticket last season (forget the food) compared with the persona & pathos of what it bought …. Well, I’d support selling the whole franchise and replacing it with with another “Golden Sports Moments” cable TV channels. Then we just put up a really big screen at the park and pay to watch their best cause something tells me that’s about as close as we’re going to get again.

By jokurone

October 25, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this

take a look at how the other teams finished with the big money players (see Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, White Sox and Mets) and then look at the marlins to name one team that has the lowest payroll at 15mil the Cards were at 89mil below ATL, Detroit at 82mil, Cincinnati at 61mil, all I’m saying is you don’t necessarily win by paying out the big bucks.

By salcapordie

October 25, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this

Baseball has been dying a slow death since free agency began. Its taken longer than I thought at first, but its gonna happen unless there’s more revenue sharing between teams along with a salary cap agreement. There will be 5 or 6 all-star teams, 20 something middle market teams with constantly changing rosters of youngsters with potential and mediocre veterans, and several franchises out of business. Plus, the league continues to alienate fans by refusing to investigate, punish or even acknowledge cheating; whether by steroids or corked bats or pitchers doctoring the balls, or umpires making blatantly bad calls.

By cctusc1

October 25, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this

Folks, You can’t just say trade Andruw because he can veto any trade, and has indicated that he would because he had his fellings hurt when trhe braves put him on the waiver wire. I’m afraid that JS screwed the pooch on this one. The braves are probably going to be stuck with Andruw next year, and then he’s gone and the Braves will get nothing in return. Nice play on this one JS, Boras and Andruw have made you look like an idiot because you’re in a no win situation now.

By Carroll

October 25, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this

The “only” complete playa? LOL! Boras is so precious! Remember back in 1994-95 when he tried to tell the world that his client, Jeff Blauser, was the best shortstop in baseball save for Barry Larkin? Anyone remember what happened to Blauser after the Braves bought into that garbage and overpayed for him?! Let’s just put it this way…we ended up winning the WS with Rafeal Belliard as our starting shortstop. Trade AJ now!!!!!! We need young power pitching and get-on-base/speedy type of position players!

By BoredwithBraves

October 25, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

I suggest that SB take 85-North when he drives AJ out of Atlanta. Please advise when this will take place, so thousands of us hardworking folks can line the bridges and overpasses and wave goodbye to both of them. What a ridiculous amount of money for a mediocre, overweight, no leadership player ( Andruw, not Chipper…I realize the description could be confusing).

By Jimmy

October 25, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this

Hope the door doesn’t hit him in the a** on the way out.

By Sonny Brothers

October 25, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

Having worked in Contracting for over 36 years; I wonder if Mr. Boras and Andruw Jones would be interested in a “Performance Based” Contract, where when Andruw has a Great Season he is compensated. Then when he has a BAD/OFF season and his performance is not up to the Agreed-to-Standard his pay would be adjusted accordingly (reduced).

By Ol' Diz

October 25, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this

Scott Boros is all about him$elf (sounds like Tom Glavine, right?) I hope Andruw fires him and signs for a sensible amount.

Andruw IS the best centerfielder today and one of the best of all time. I hope he remains a Brave!

By Bigdog

October 25, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

Sounds like an A-Rod deal all over again…let him go! Maybe he will go to the Yankees and be with all the other over priced losers!

By Lowcountry Dawg

October 25, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

John Schuerholz will never resign a player to that large of a contract, because of the Chipper Jones factor. Andruw has played to much, and has taxed his body. He will be moved to leftfield w/in the next three years. Why pay 13-18m for an above average player which is what he will be by the end of the contract, much like Chipper Jones. Chipper, sucks and now we are stuck with him because of us getting caught up emotionally in him being the “face” of the Braves, our “savior”, our “franchise”. This is now the time to let Andruw go, trade him to the Dodgers then we could have the Braves West. —-Remember blame Chipper

By VIKINGFAN

October 25, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

Pay Andrew what he’s worth and get some pitchers!

By Ol' Diz

October 25, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

I think BoredwithBraves should simply shut-up if she is indeed so bored with the home team. Oh, sorry Mrs. Jones…

By John, Richmond, VA

October 25, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

It would a little sad to see him go, but he’s not worth it and the Braves can’t afford it, and they have more pressing needs for that kind of money. Since there is a direct relationship between how much Andruw earns and what Boras gets as his agent- clearly that JERK Boras is focused on what’s best for himself. How much money can Andruw spend a year? Maybe we’ll be lucky and Andruw will decide to negotiate on his own - but I’m not holding out hope. It’s like Glavine saying he wasn’t going to the Mets for the money - yea right.

By David B

October 25, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

Boras is an idiot.

By TiftDawg

October 25, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

Some idiot will pay Andrew more than he’s worth, so we may as well try to work out a sign and trade deal (since he has veto power) and get something for him now.

I hate it, but he’s gone.

By Tucker CFP

October 25, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

I agree with Jimmy, don’t let the door hit you in the butt! This guy is never going to reach his potential. He has an incredible talent and he refuses to work any harder than just showing up at the park. I have been yelling “trade bait” at the game for years and that is just what they need to do. Get what you can get and move on. You can’t buy a championship. You have to have guys that really want a championship and will work and do whatever it takes to get there. Money helps, but it isn’t everything. Look at this years WS!

By Bill Henry

October 25, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

Let him go!!!!

By Dave

October 25, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

We’ll miss ya Andruw…..but is anyone worth that much. It is sickening to see all these outrageous salaries in Pro sports.

By Don

October 25, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

OK OK OK!!! I’ve heard enough!!! It’s hockey and football season here….GO LEAFS GO!!!!

By TGAfan

October 25, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

Andruw…if you by some chance actually read all of the crap on this page, please dismiss all of the negativity. I pray that you’ll decide to accept a bit less to stay with the Braves. I say this from a completely selfish point of view. It would be a sad day to see someone else roaming in center field for the Braves. You have been a delight to watch for the past decade and I merely hope that you will find it in your heart to continue the tradition here with us that we have grown to love.

By Roy Ellis

October 25, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

What would I do? I would take a major step toward ending the insanity of paying spoiled whiners such obscene amounts of money to “play games”. What is their real contribution to society? I would urge sports fans to attend local high school events and watch college athletics, of all kinds, on the tube. Won’t happen though. America is addicted to it’s entertainment.

By Jim Goodwin

October 25, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

First, I believe that Andrew is OLDER than 29, did they ever issue birth certificates where he was born? The agent is an a*, all he wants is his 10%, cares nothing about the city or what the player wants, JUST SHOW ME THE MONEY! Well you know what, see you late Andrew, it has been nice, the Marlins ENTIRE team did not make that this year, the ENTIRE team, so by by Andrew Jones, hope you find a home, lets go get some young hungry players.

By Southga

October 25, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Scott Boras and all of the agents need to leave the picture. I despise agents because they are greedy money grubbers who ruin the game. Yes, there are greedy players but the agents are the ones driving the pay increases. Scott Boras go to hell

By Sathefari

October 25, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

Scott Boras is all about the money, err, I mean Yankee money, and since the Braves aren’t going to pay that amount of money for 1 player (I sure hope they don’t). They need to trade him and get something in return. Not just let him walk at the end of next season.

By Rutuger

October 25, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

Andruw and Boras both know good and damn well that the Braves cannot afford anything close to that range. He will be missed. Hopefully Francoeur is ready to handle everyday CF duties.

By tdawg

October 25, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this

$20 million only if he hit .350 to go with the hr, rbi, and defense. andruw is my favorite player but not worth $20 million on a $80 million payroll. we’ll miss you andruw because the corporation isn’t giving that much green to any player

By Brian

October 25, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

You guys badmouthing Boras are barking up the wrong tree. He’s an agent. His job is to get the most amount of money for his client. If you had an agent representing you in negotiations for YOUR job, how would you feel if he came back to you and said “Well, I could’ve played hardball and gotten you $60,000 a year, but this company’s been pretty good to you, and they’re going through some tough times financially, so we’re going to settle for $50,000.” I don’t think too many of us would be happy with that.

The real problem is that there’s no salary cap, and this creates tremendous inequity between what different teams can afford to pay for talent. And keep in mind that the Braves have a middle of the road salary. If you think it’s bad for us, be thankful you don’t live in south Florida. They have absolutely NO hope of putting together a team that can make the playoffs with their payroll. The fact that they finished just 6 games under .500 this year is nothing short of a miracle. And a system that leaves no hope for certain teams is a failed system.

BUT, the Braves DO have hope. They’re not the Marlins, and they have a payroll with which a team can not only make the playoffs, but win the World Series. Both the Cardinals and the Tigers have similar payrolls to the Braves. But what the Braves CAN’T do is adopt the Yankee or Red Sox strategy of signing 30-something, proven stars to huge contracts. That’s a strategy that usually succeeds, but it damn well better succeed for the money it costs. And the Braves don’t have that kind of money. The Braves can’t afford to pay $20MM to ANYBODY. Hell, the Braves can’t afford to pay $13MM to anybody. The Oakland A’s and Billy Beane are the model that any team with an average payroll needs to follow in order to create a consistently successful team with limited financial resources. Jason Kendall is their highest paid player at $11.5MM. They’ve only got 12 guys who make over $1MM. That means that half of their 25 man roster is being paid under $1MM. And the vast majority of their roster is under the age of 30. That’s how the Braves can build success. Have a strong farm system that provides an influx of good, young, CHEAP players. Bring in/sign/trade for some younger veterans that provide experience and decent talent for a good value (think guys that make $2MM to $6MM a year). And if you can find a very good player who is undervalued by the market, be willing to shell out a little more for him ($7MM to $11MM). The Braves have actually followed this strategy pretty well for the most part. We’ve got a good farm system and have brought up a lot of young, cheap talent. We’ve got some very good players who are expensive but relative bargins (Smoltz, Renteria, Hudson). But the problem is that we don’t have enough of those middle tier players that make $2MM to $6MM a year and form the backbone that any team on a $80MM payroll needs. All we’ve got is Marcus Giles, John Thomson, and Danys Baez. And the reason we don’t have more of them is because we’ve got something the A’s would never be foolish enough to have: three players who make more than $13MM a year and eat up half our payroll. Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, and Mike Hampton are suffocating this team with their salaries, regardless of whether they perform very well (Andruw), very well but are injury prone (Chipper), or terribly (Hampton). We just can’t afford those kinds of salaries. And thus, we need to get rid of Andruw and Chipper for young talent ASAP. Unfortunately, nobody would ever take Hampton so we have to ride that one out.

By csg

October 25, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

Andruw, dont let the door hit you on the way out. $20mil+ per year, give me a break.

By Dex

October 25, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this

I am a Andruw fan, but, where do they think the money is coming from with the reduce Braves salary limitation. I say trade him for pitching….

By dap

October 25, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

Andruw, We love you. But if you sleep with dogs, you get fleas. Boras is a dog.

By David

October 25, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t pay Andrew Jones $1 million a year, much less $20 million a year. I’ve never heard of a lifetime .260 hitter being worth $20 million. Why not ask for $100 million per season. Since the skys the limit on salaries, why not try and be the first $100 million dollar man since Steve Austin became the Six Million Dollar Man on that famous tv program years ago. I’m telling you, these worthless prima donas are so greedy, they perform like dogs and then they want to be paid like kings. What’s the world coming to—-now Andrew Jones should be paid the equivalent of Barry Bonds, A-Rod or Albert Puhols. Andrew is not in their class. Andrew is a better defensive player than any of those guys, but he is a pathetic .260 lifetime hitter. I say trade his lazy butt and try and get at least one great starting pitcher in return—-maybe the ageless Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling or someone like that. But under no circumstances do you pay Andrew Jones $20 mil per season and wreck your payroll and destroy your team. That would be pure foolishness!

By mike

October 25, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

Looking at the success of teams like Detroit and Chicago White Sos and the Yankees post season failures, it is apparent that you can win without the highest payroll. Andruw will probably get a $20m plus contract but the Braves would be wise to explore trade options before he becomes a free agent. Love his defense and yes he hits a ton of homeruns, but I don’t regard him as one of the top 5 clutch hitters in the game. Use the money for some pitching, our real weaknesss at this point.

By GodHatesTrash

October 25, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

Andruw gets Boras because the ownership is giving up on the Braves. He sees the handwriting on the wall. He’s not even thirty years old, coming off two good seasons - a multi-year contract can put him back with a real contender, instead of several years with a declining franchise and the smoke and mirror job that Schuerholz and Cox have to do every year just to fall apart in the playoffs with an underfunded team.

It’s a shame - Andruw is by far the best of the Jones boys. Chipper is purebred trash, no heart, no soul, dumb as a fencepost - perfect for native Atlantans, he’s a perpetual second-place finisher. Get him out of the clubhouse - do whatever it takes - he’s a redneck Alex Rodriguez, just not nearly as talented - see what you can get for him, offer to pay the rest of his way overblown salary.

Larry is the biggest loser in Georgia since Jefferson Davis.

If they had the money, the Braves should keep Andruw. Pray Hudson does better this year, and Hampton returns solid. Get some winners and fighters and scrappers.

By Shaun

October 25, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

75 million bucks to play a game ? hello? its crazy to ask for it but even crazier to pay it.

Is it crazy to pay it if your customer’s will give you billions to see someone play a game?

By Shaun

October 25, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

The players try to suck as much from the owners as possible, the owners pay the players as little as they can get away with and try to suck as much from the fans as possible. And the fans pay as much as they feel is reasonable to see the greatest baseball players in the world play baseball or watch them on TV and generate a huge amount of advertising revenue. You can be glad we live in a capitalist country and deal with it. Or you can make a statement by not watching or going to games. There’s plenty of blame to go around for the pay of athletes and entertainers, if you feel the need to place blame—some of the blame even falls on the entertained.

By John Hughes

October 25, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

Andruw a complete player. When did he steal 30 bases a season? How many times has he hit over .300? Does he run out infield grounders? He hits home runs and is an excellent center fielder but until he does all of the above he is not a complete player. If he persists in this ridiculas demand he should be traded for what the Braves can get. Langerhans has shown that he is almost the equal of Jones defensively and I’m sure there are others out there. No player is worth all the millions that are being paid today.

By Scott

October 25, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

All this sentiment… baseball is a business. Free Agency (Ted Turner) killed baseball as it was. The new baseball, with no real rivals (because all the players are “aligned” regardless of team throught the union and the sharing of agents), team hopping, etc… has kept me from becoming too attached to any one player. Trade him and Chipper for pitching and a third baseman that can play a little dinged up (Let’s face it, Chipper WILL NOT play hurt regardless of what you read in the local paper about how “tough” he is) and put a competitive team on the field and I don’t think anyone in THIS town would miss Andruw.

By Moe

October 25, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

It sounds like GodHatesTrash has a “man crush” on A. Jones.

By Kevin C

October 25, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this

Here is something else to consider from the Braves position—no more draft picks (compensation picks) for free agents who leave. I would like Andruw to stay but no way is he worth $20 million a year, how much is Pujols and Berkman worth then? Offer him a contract this winter and then trade him IF POSSIBLE for young talent. If not he walks and the Braves get salary relief for 2008. It might make sense for the Braves to build a team with speed/defense/pitching that would allow them to dominate in their own ballpark. The Earl Weaver theory of 3 run homers kill teams in the post season

By T. Williams

October 25, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

If I were the GM, I would have a very simple rule to communicate to players…. If you are represented by Scott Bore-a*, we are not interested. Best wishes.

By B. Crane

October 25, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

Trade him! Anyone that can’t hit a curve ball isn’t worth 20 million.

By H2F

October 25, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

Andruw’s not worth one million. Then again, I don’t think anyone is.

Players are beyond ridiculously overpaid. I yearn for the glory days when they had to live in the real world and occasionally get a second job in the off season.

I silently curse Nolan Ryan for signing the first ridiculous deal and setting a bad example for the rest of the unneedy athletes of the world.

Francouer - a natural centerfielder by the way - can hit like Andruw when both are swinging the bat well.

I can produce as much as Andruw does when he’s injured or on a cold streak. If someone wants to sign me, you can double my current college-educated paycheck of $14,000 per annum. I’m used to paying my own meal money, so I won’t request that. I’m even comfortable staying at the Budgetel.

By dawg in denver

October 25, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

It is time to trade him after the ridiculous statement by his agent. They realize the Braves payroll restrictions so we should get something for him while we can. Yes he will go on to hit 600 hr’s for his career, but there is no one worth $20 million and it show what he thinks of the fans and the team he plays for currently.

By John

October 25, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

I love Andruw and wish he could stay here his whole career. But that just doesn’t happen anymore thanks to sharks like Boras. Greedy agents have single handidly ruined fan loyalty in professional sports; especially baseball.

No one is worth a guaranteed $20 million a year. Not an athlete, not an entertainer, not a CEO. Come to the real world where salary and raises are not based on what you might do, or what you promise to do, or what you did 5 years ago.

By Foley Moe

October 25, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this

But(t) boy for Chipper.

Trash loves trash.

By Kentavo

October 25, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

Only two real options here:

Personally, I want him gone. He’s not the sole reason obviously, but he’s a posterboy for the Braves’ post-season failures and lack of plate discipline.

Boras is an idiot. “Complete” players also steal bases, hit in the clutch, and have .300 plus averages.

By David

October 25, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this

I think the Braves should trade Andrew, Chipper and John Smoltz. Trade all the players who have been here during the Braves division championship run and leave all of the hungry players who have not tasted winning at all yet. Let the guys who would almost play for nothing—-the players on the current roster minus Andrew, Chipper and Smoltz and ship out all those greedy players who are washed up, passed their prime and who are ruining the Braves payroll.

By Michael

October 25, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

If JS could figure out some way to get rid of Chipper and his bloated contract, then the Braves might be able to afford Andruw and his bloated contract. At least Andruw can give you 150+ games a year. That can’t be said for Chipper anymore. They can’t have both, unfortunately, at least not while the team remains under the corporate ownership with the inability to keep up with the big spenders of the world.

By Joe S.

October 25, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

That’s not going to happen. He’s gone. You want to see a complete player ? Check out Carlos Beltran.

By Cornholio

October 25, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

Andruw has earned more of his bloated contract than Mike Hampton, Chipper Jones and Tim Hudson have, yet Andruw will be the one leaving Atlanta.

Its all or nothing in 2007 !

By David

October 25, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

I really don’t care if Andrew Jones goes—-because his skills have been slipping the past couple of seasons. According to Scott Boras, Andrew Jones is the most complete ball player in the game today. What a jackass of a man to make that statement! As it was pointed out in a previous BLOG, Andrew doesn’t steal 30 bases, although he has the speed to do it. Andrew doesn’t hit .300 (he’s always between .240 and .260). So why should the Braves waste their money on Andrew Jones when his skills are on the decline and his work ethic is so poor. I wish that someone had claimed Andrew off the waiver wire and just let him go so the Braves wouldn’t have to deal with such a mediocre talent as him—but Scott Boras must have brainwashed Andrew into thinking if the Braves put him out on the waiver wire, then he must be the most valuable player on the team. The Braves can certainly survive without Andrew Jones. They survived without Gary Sheffield, J.D. Drew, Fred McGriff, Wilson Betemit, Jermaine Dye, David Justice and several other great players so I don’t see any problem for the Braves going on without Andrew. Andrew is a wasted talent—-I’ll say that about him. The reason why I say that is because Andrew is capable of hitting .300; stealing 30 bases per season, hitting the curve ball and anthing else that can be done on a baseball diamond—but Andrew is someone who always comes to camp overweight, and really doesn’t care about his performance on the field; his only concern is how much money he can make so I would say get rid of him and try to get back equal value in return for him. Andrew might make the Hall of Fame, but it would be because of his defense excellence and probably getting about 15 gold gloves in his career.

By Big Papa

October 25, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

Ive been a fan since 1968, but the outrageous money is the reason I do not pay for Braves Tix or watch much anymore. It is really sad what has happened to professional GAMES. It is a game for God’s sake.

By BR

October 25, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this

we need a more balanced payroll like the two world series teams have. the braves actually have a higher payroll than both of those teams, but they have done a better job of balancing the money out to field a deep team. the braves got screwed by time warner who used to allow a huge payroll, which allowed the front office to sign longterm big money deals, and then scaled back the payroll once the braves were locked into the big money contracts, which removes their ability to spread out payroll more evenly. i say we re-sign andruw and somehow say adios to chipper. we have no use for a $15 million+ who can’t stay on the field and no longer has the power he used to.

By Big Papa

October 25, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

The only thing more money will get AJ is another white, blonde, gold digging, trophy wife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

By Jerry

October 25, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

I would not deal with SCOTT BORAS under any conditions. If Andruw wants to keep Boras as his agent then I would not even make him an offer. We can miss the playoffs with or without him. Over the years Andruw has not proven to be clutch hitter when it counts. There are numerous players out there that are much better than he is without having to deal with his agent. That said, I would like to see him stay at a reasonable price. But not if it means sacrificing the season to be gouged by him and his agent. It is the fans that really count. We just need to get the Division Championship back in Atlanta where it belongs.

By Bryan

October 25, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

Is Andruw worth 20m+? I say no, but guarantee there’s a team that will pay it. Thanks Texas Rangers.

By rome

October 25, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

people like scott boras have greatly contributed to the demise of baseball but lest we forget these agents are simply employees of the players. To many times agents get blasted for demanding so much money that is not deserved and the player gets off scot free with the excuse “I left the dealing up to the agent and team management” bullsh** The player knows exactly what the agent is doing and do not forget in the end the approval is up to the players signature, not the agents. The point being, the greed is of players making as much if not more than agents.

By MK

October 25, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

Can we call the Yankees and trade the Joneses (Andruw and Chipper) for A-Rod and pitcing prospects?

By Joaquin

October 25, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

Why do people have to be this GREEDY? 20 million is more than enough.

By calvin

October 25, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

See ya . The bravos need better pitching. 75 million would help pitching. Any Jo Blow can do what this self centered loser does.

By Baseballfan

October 25, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

Here is a trade I would like to see! Andrew Jones and Chipper Jones to the Okland A’s for Barry Zito and Eric Chavez! Maybe Tim Hudson couls facilitate that!

By Jorge CR

October 25, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this

The root of the problem here is ownership by New York based Time-Warner. They don’t want the Braves winning and they’re suceeding. Ted Turner, where are you when you’re needed?

By Glenn

October 25, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this

I have two words, echoed many times, for Andruw: FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS FIRE BORAS

By Rip

October 25, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

AJ hired Boras so he could start his on GOLD CLUB.

By matches

October 25, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this

The Braves can’t, and won’t, pay Andruw $20 mil per year. If there’s someone out there who will, and AJ won’t take a hometown discount, then AJ will be playing elsewhere in 2008.

To those who would respond “well then trade him now”: AJ has a no-trade provision, as he is a 10-5 guy. He likes playing in Atlanta. The only way it makes sense for him to waive the no-trade is if the team acquiring him negotiates a new contract with him as part of the deal, AND the terms of that contract blow him away. Otherwise he’s better off playing 2007 in Atlanta and then putting his services on the market, presumably getting multiple teams to bid for him.

I guess it’s possible he’d revisit that next summer, if the Braves are out of contention and he has a chance to win a WS as a three-month “rental”, but the chances of him being traded this winter are VERY slim.

By Jordan

October 25, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

An offer of 6 years, $100M, with a option for a 7th year at $15 should be about as far as we should go. I want Andruw to stay, but a contract at $20M per year would cripple the Braves. Talk of Carl Crawford is nice, but my 2nd favorite (Andruw is first) Centerfield capable player is Grady Sizemore. Obviously, it would be nice to have Crawford or Sizemore in Left feild batting lead-off with Andruw in center, but I don’t think it likely, plus I don’t want to overlook the combo of Diaz/Langerhans at Left. We can use 2B as leadoff.

By Jordan

October 25, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

Maybe in addition to that 6 year $100M, we could put incentives for hitting 40HRs and batting better than .290.

By Mike

October 25, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

IF that 20 million was available, take $100.00 and give Andruw a going away party and then divide the remainder among those youngsters that are playing with heart and for the team. Certainly there is someone in the organization that can fly out to the shortstop, ground out to second and even strike out with the second highest S.O. total on the team. Bye bye Andruw, hope you enjoy that New York market.

By Glenn

October 25, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

I’d never call Lofton a player who deserves a lot of money, I was happy to see him leave. Do you have any examples of ‘white playesr’ we have kept where money was no object? I guess Dale Murp…wait a second, didn’t we get rid of him too?

By K Virden

October 25, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

You all are hiliarious, I am enjoying reading your comments on Andruw. I agee, no way will the braves pay him and Scott, (I will suck the blood from your vains)Boras, that kind of money..

By Jimo

October 25, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

Jordon-I like Grady Sizemore, Crawford and Kid with Blue Jays Alex Rios. There are alot of good Player that don’t cost 10 million plus. Let AJ walk. Agree with your thinking man.

By Boots

October 25, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

I’m a big AJ fan, but wouldn’t consider the pay raise. When will sanity return to sports, so that tickets prices will be affordable to families again?

And, besides, if it were not for their ability to hit or catch or throw or run with a ball —- i.e. play a kid’s game —- about all they’d be qualified for is an assistant manager at Burger King.

By Bravedawg

October 25, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

THE FORMULA

The Jones Boys and Giles … gone!!

New Line Up:

Rotation

Zito (from the A’s) D. Lewis (from Marlins) Hudson James Glavine (from Mets … our future pitching coach)

Wickman (set up man) Smoltz (closer and future manager)

Oh, yeah. And a another 30 or 40 million to our payroll

equals … WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!

By Andruw fan 4eva

October 25, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

I sure hope Andruw dosen’t read this blog.

This kid has put his blood, sweat and tears into this franchise and still gets dissed like no other(maybe Vick). No wonder Atlanta is known as one of the worst sports town. These people who b*** about his batting average have never tried to hit a baseball. Hey idiots .260 is considered average, not horrible. add 40+ hrs and 130 rbis and lights out d, you got a Hall of Famer. Sure 20 million is a ton of money to pay a player but you don’t have to bad mouth him. now go shove Frenchys dick back in your a* and shut up.

By Phat Bat Boy

October 25, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

If Scott Boras could negotiate the salaries of the bloggers, I’m sure each and everyone of you would gladly give him his agent’s fee. While it is true the Braves can;t afford a $20M/year player, don’t hate him for making the request. He has treated us to the best defense of his era, game in and game out. He carried this team during Chipper’s recent injury-riddled seasons. And he already gave this franchise one “home team discount” contract. The Braves self-imposed salary budget is not an Andruw problem, it is a Scherholtz problem.

By Told Ya So

October 25, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

Should have traded Andruw this year. I said it this year before he reached the 10-5 no trade situation. The word has been out there all season that he was gonna let Boras run the negotiations this time.

Have the Braves management and FANS not learned anything yet about dealing with Boras??? We have watched high price free agents walk away for years now!

So to all of you “no we can’t trade Andruw!!” fans…. sling snot in your beer when he walks after this season and the Braves don’t get snot for him!

At least we could have received someone’s top pitching prospect for him had we let him go during this past season.

By JILL

October 25, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

ANDRUW DESERVES TO PLAY FOR A BETTER TEAM. IF THEY HAVE TO DUMP ANYBODY, THEY SHOULD DUMP CHIPPER. HE’S ALWAYS HURT AND NEVER PLAYS.

By Ernest

October 25, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

You think the Braves missed the playoffs this year, let them make the biggest, no, (they did with Tom Glavine, Rafeal Furcal and Jermaine Dye) another big mistake (this would be the biggest)like this and this organization can forget about the playoffs for a longggggggg time. I thought putting Andruw on the “alibi” trading block was totally disrespectful to him in the first place. He’s one of the best outfielders in the game. Why not trade injury proned Chipper Jones and get some younger prospect for him? Oops! Did I say Chipper Jones? My baddddd.

By SMH

October 25, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this

It really doesn’t matter, as long a Booooby Cox is the manager, the Braves aren’t gonna win another World Series….the ONE we did win was in SPITE of him….and before you myopic Cox lovers jump in…blah blah blah…remember this….he’s lost more postseason games that any manager in history. So what, at least he got’em there…to win 14 consecutive division titles and ONLY 1 CHAMPIONSHIP is pitiful!!!!!…and yes, as a Braves for 40 years I’m grateful for that one, but it was no thanks to him. The Big Leagues is about winning it all…not just making it to the postseason. Being the military (having traveled all over the world and met sports fans of numerous teams, I can tell you, the Braves are known more so for losing in the playoffs than winning in the regular season. Let’s see, last I checked, aren’t we one behind the MARLINS. Over a 162 game schedule, the best talent will prevail as long as a monkey is running the team, but post season is one of strategy where the manager must give his team the best opportunity to win…(i.e. not calling predictable squeeze plays, having hot hitters bunt instead of swinging away)Cox is a horrible stragtegist and his post season record is a clear indication. The reason his peers kept voting him manager of the year is because they knew given the talent the Braves consistenly had, a real manager would lead them to World Series CHAMPIONSHIPS in instead of being the same as an automatic bye in the playoffs. Hey, I know this was about Jones…but this needed to be said…It really truely doesn’t matter….Cox has lost with virtually every conceiveable lineup, players and top talent…and he will continue to do so.

By knowitall

October 25, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Whether you think Andruw is worth the money or not, the bottom line is that he can get it if he so chooses. I don’t understand why everyone is complaining about him or Boras. When you go out looking for a job, you normally try to maximize your earning potential. Sure sometimes people take less money to stay closer to home, which Andruw has done once. But given an offer large enough, I think most of us would pack up the kids and move. Don’t pretend like your above taking the money.

The bottom line is that this will probably be the last big contract of his career. Baseball generated more than $5 billion in revenues last year. $5 billion! Wrap your head around that. Why shouldn’t the players get to share in the riches? They are only taking advantage of the system. They are no different than anyone who takes deductions on their taxes to maximize thier refund. Just taking advantage of the system. It’s not their fault that baseball has no salary cap. It’s not their fault that most other jobs do.

If you don’t want Andruw to stay then say that but please don’t complain if the man takes what’s being offered to him.

By Carolyn

October 25, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

Andruw is my favorite Braves player. Has been since day one. He deserves to be one of the highest paid players in the majors. Unfortunately, there are way too many players who are grossly overpaid. Scott Boros doesn’t really care how much Andruw makes. All he cares about is what HE gets. Which is either 10 or 15 percent.

By David

October 25, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

It’s amazing to see Andrew’s ridiculously outrageous salary demands on the heels of such a pathetic season for the Braves. I really wish that the Braves don’t yield to his nonsensical demands. Can you immagine former Brave Dale Murphy demanding $20 mil from the Atlanta Braves when he was playing years ago? Dale was such a great guy, a wonderful father and teammate and such an outstanding person in the community that if there was ever anyone who I would have liked to see get $20 million dollars per season, it would have been Dale Murphy. Dale was worth the price of admission—-but if you can recall Andrew was involved in that Gold Club scandal years ago and he disgraced his teammates and the fans of Atlanta for participating in Goldclubgate and now this guy has the nerve to try and hold the Braves hostage for $20 million dollars—-I would say give Andrew his uncondtional release. The Braves don’t really need to get anything in return for Andrew, because he is an overpriced commodity as it is. We don’t need any more greedy, selfish prima donas on our team. Trade Andrew Jones to the Yankees for A-Rod and I’ll show yo somebody who is worth paying $20 million+ per season. Alex Rodriguez is worth every penny that he is extracting from the Yankees payroll. I would love to see Alex in an Atlanta Brave uniform.

By Fast Ball

October 25, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this

SMH- You are right on with your Cox comments. Doesn’t matter what AOL or Liberty does as Cox couldn’t win with Steinbrenner money. The 90’s showed his lack of creativity in the postseason and his Manager of the Year titles came when the Braves overcame REGULAR SEASON issues to win their division. If there were a postseason Hall of Fame, the Braves would have only one lock- John Smoltz. Cox would be as far out of that group as anyone.

By JILL

October 25, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this

DAVID, FIRST OF ALL IT’S ANDRUW NOT ANDREW. SECONDLY, A.ROD HERE? YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME. WE DON’T NEED ANYMORE BIG EGO/NO BATS HERE. MICHAEL VICK IS AS CLOSE TO A.ROD AS THIS CITY NEEDS.

By Told Ya So

October 25, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

It really has nothing to do with if Andruw is worth 20 Mil a year or 40 Mil or 5 Mil. It has everything to do with what the market will bring for him.

It’s just plain fact that the Braves can’t pay him 18-20 mil a year even if he is worth it. Now they could pay him that much but what are they going to use to pay everyone else? Are any “thinking” fans willing to tie up one quarter of their payroll on one player?!?! If you want to pay Andruw 20 Mil a year because he is a great player-humanitarian-(fill in the blank) then just be prepared to pay the price by not having any payroll flexibility for years to come. Face it, Braves payroll is NOT going to go up substantially in the future.

Just wishing the Braves had 20 mil to spend on Druw won’t make it happen.

To the poster/posters who said that things will get worse immediately without Andruw, things will get worse and stay worse very soon if Andruw is signed multi year for 20 mil.

Better hope the farm system is gonna spit out some low priced gamers over the next few years because that’s all the Braves will be able to afford with one guy tying up a quarter of the payroll.

By 1 + 2 = 4

October 25, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

I have been an Andruw fan since day 1. When AJ and his father gave Boras the wrong address to the last contract talks, I became entrenched in his corner. When everyone wanted to ship him off a couple of years ago, I was adamant that he should stay. After hearing the talk about him being traded I was upset… Today, I don’t care if he goes… Actually, I am p**! Using his Veto to block a trade, asking for $20MM?!?! Andruw - - get gone!!!!!!!!! With a corporate owner that only cares about tax breaks and a withering budget, Boras knows the Braves can’t afford him. Therefore, all of that Bu!!$hit talk about wanting to stay in the ATL was just that BU!!$HIT. If he is with the Braves next year, I hope the fans ride his sorry a$$ everytime he strikes out. WTF: How can you ask for $20MM and you haven’t carried your team to the WS?!?!?!?!

By bigt

October 25, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this

If andruw is not worth 20 million as a lot of you say, then what is chipper worth, a far far less amount maybe even minium wage and i am talking mcdonalds not baseballs min.he is out so much until he should be dubbed part time player and when he is in the game oh well there really is not a different there either.

By Tracie

October 25, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

No player in baseball is worth that much money, not one single player. I dont care who they are. I think it would be a good idea for major league clubs to just not deal with Boras at all. Just close him down. Boras is hurting the sport and the teams that brought these guys up dont have a chance to keep them.

If there was a cap then all would be on a even field. You get teams like the Yankees who can sign anyone and bring on these big contracts. This has got to stop now. Not just because its Andruw, but because it is hurting the game of baseball. The fans are growing tired of seeing these overpaid ball players who sell autographs to fans for more money and then get endorsements from any type of sports sale they can get. Its greed, pure greed. I for one am very tired of it.

See ya Andruw. Have fun playing for Steinbrenner. All his other rag dolls seem to love him. Well his money anyway.

By Bravesbaby

October 25, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Well a good contract is one thing. What Scott Boras wants is stupid. I would not pay Jones 20 Million. Hes not worth it. No player is.

Let him go, trade him, whatever. We have not gotten out of the playoffs with all his talent. Maybe we need a chance in the outfield. Trade Andruw and lets try Crawford and someone else out there. I mean Carl Crawford can make up for his hits and home runs and there are plenty of very good centerfielders deserving to be on the braves. Maybe it is time for a chance.

By Bravesbaby

October 25, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

When the braves start to overpay for players, thats when I root for the underdog. I dont like greed in any way shape or form.

By Braves fan

October 25, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

If I were the Braves, I’d keep him until his contract runs out (after next season) and then put the ball in Andruw’s court as to whether he stays or goes. If they trade him, the Braves front office is the villian to the fans. If Andruw takes another team’s offer, he and his uber agent are the bad guys. A lot of the people on this blog undoubtedly will call for the Braves to trade him and get something for him, rather than risk getting nothing for him. That argument is poppycrock. There is no way they can get a fair trade for him. First of all, there is no player available for trade or via free agency that will hit 30 HR, and drive in 130 RBI and win play gold glove defense in CF. So right away trading him leaves an unfillable hole. Pitching is solid gold these days, and teams part with it at their own peril. No team with brains is going to give up the kind of pitching the Braves will want in return for Andy. Boston turned down the counter offer of John S. of Jon Lester, that RP and Coco. Even if Boston was willing to make the deal, Lester is recovering from lymphoma. He’s a risk now. And that was a desperate Boston team trying to beat the Yankees. Most other teams aren’t nearly as rabid about making big deals as the NY teams and Boston. So basically they’d be trading him for prospect pitchers who may or may not work out. Not to mention, any team trading for him would only be renting until the Boras bidding wars start. Everyone knows he won’t allow Andy to sign with a team that trades for him, without letting other teams bid for him. That plus Andy’s veto power limits the Braves options even further. And when a team has limited options on a destination, the teams who are interested know it, and will adjust their offers accordingly.

The best scenario at this point is to let his contract play out and if he decides to follow Boras to the bank, take the high level compensatory draft picks from the signing team and let him walk. In the end, I think Andruw will consult with A-Rod and find out that making $20 million plus a year is not that much different than $15 million, but the available teams who can afford it and the expectations that come along with it aren’t worth it. At this point Andy has only one thing left to accomplish, a World Series win. And playing for the Yankees or Mets or Red Sox is not a guarantee to even get to the playoffs, much less win the whole thing. And let’s face it, Andruw is not going to please Yankee fans, or Met fans, Boston or Philly fans on a daily basis. He needs to be in a place where he is appreciated for what he brings to the table as a whole, not what he does from at-bat to at-bat, the way A-Rod is judged.

By Bravesbaby

October 25, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Chipper is not worth what hes getting either. In 2007 I look for him to miss half the year. Money that will be tied up on a player sitting on the bench. For three years Chipper has gotten worse and next year he will really hurt the braves. Big contracts are not in the best interest of any organization. I call for a salary cap now. Put a cap in place.

By Daa-ood

October 25, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

I would love to see Andruw a New York Yankee. The Braves are crazy if they let Andruw go to another team they are nothing with out him. They need to trade Chipper Jones and get some real bullpen help.

By knowitall

October 25, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

1+2=4-Andruw has not vetoed any trade. The Braves had brief discussions on a trade with the Red Sox but one was never in place. To everyone preaching about loyalty, is he supposed to be loyal to someone who wasn’t loyal to him? The Braves put him on wavers and didn’t keep him informed as to what was going on. If you cleaned toilets for a company and you saw your manager escorting a guy out of the conference room with Jay’s Cleaning Service on his shirt, would you still be so loyal? Then to boot, you look through the newspaper and you find out that the salaries for toilet cleaners has nearly doubled since you started working for the company. Would you stay at the company against all costs? I didn’t think so.

By IM DA SMART WON

October 25, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

F all the pro ball players, agents, etc. Who cares about PRO sports anymore anyway?

By phil

October 25, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Bye bye Andruw. trade him and Giles to the yankees for Chien-ming wang and robinson cano. let the yankees deal with boras and the new contract. Heck i would take jones for wang.

By Frank Long

October 25, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

let him go at that price.

By Joe

October 25, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

I would tell him to get a clue….. He is alread overpaid. Imagine if he had to work for a living for about 30K per year. Get over yourself and try getting some clutch hits to earn some of the overpayment you already get.

By scott

October 25, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

First of all, NOBODY is worth $20+ million. t-bone’s comments from Tuesday were right-on - AJ is only about 30 but he will decline greatly before his next huge contract runs out (sound like any other Jones we know?). Although its hard to accept trading away a guy who’s likely the best centerfielder in the last 40 years, and a certain HOF’er, JS has to do it. Unfortunately, AJ is now a 10/5 guy and can (and likely will with Boras involved) veto most trades. Boras knows that with the new BB economics, and with AJ having another solid year that his asking price will be sky-high.

If you let him play out the contract, you lose him for only 2 draft picks - not enough. We’re not winning it all WITH him, so work a trade in this off-season.

Here’s my suggestion (and I think the $ work out fairly well): trade AJ and Hudson to the Yankees in exchange for A-Rod and Damon. Since much of A-Rod’s salary is picked up by the Rangers, I believe the #’s work, and both teams get what they would want: Yankees get a #1 starter (they desperately need one) and the best CF’er in BB AND get rid of A-Rod. Bravos get a very good CF’er who’s also a lead-off hitter and likely one of the top 3 players in the game in A-Rod. A-Rod plays his natural position at shortstop, Renteria moves to 2nd base, and you trade Giles for a lefty in the pen. Dumping Giles’ salary probably helps make the above trade fit better also.

By James Holland

October 25, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

Send Andruw back to Valdosta / Lowndes county to pick cotton and water melons or better yet work in the naval stores Industry. He is still young enough to throw a few pulp wood logs on the pulp wood truck. He certainly is not worth USM$20

By Mark

October 25, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

So long Andruw. You aren’t worth it! I’m sure the Yanks will pay you that and you can watch the World Series next year too.

By mardi

October 25, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

OUTLAW AGENTS!!!!!!!!!!

By saltlakedawg

October 25, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this

Let Andruw and his greedy sports agent take a hike. The Braves can win just as many World Series titles without him as they’ve won with him.

By saltlakedawg

October 25, 2006 06:50 PM | Link to this

Let Andruw and his greedy sports agent take a hike. The Braves can win just as many World Series titles without him as they’ve won with him.

By stew

October 25, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this

There is only one Andruw. He wants to stay in Atlanta. I’m sure he’ll take a discount to stay. Offer him 20 mill and he’ll take it. He’s worth 20 mill. If Boras wants 25, I want the same weed that he’s been smoking. How do you replace Andruw’s defense in centerfield? Somebody ought to take a gun to Boras’ head because he’s one greedy son of a b***.

By stew

October 25, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this

There is only one Andruw. He can’t be replced.

By o.pack

October 25, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this

how about andrew for curt shilling and either trot nixon or coco crisp? the red sox may still want a center fielder.

By Boots

October 25, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this

*How in the name of common sense can anyone say that a player making &12.3 million per year is being disrespected? That’s over a million freakin’ bucks a month to play a kid’s game. *

We’re like the Romans who allowed their love for mind-numbing entertainment to totally undermine their wonderful culture and destroy their future.

I’m fed up with these modern-day gladiators who have become so lionized by a mindless populace that they are deemed worthy of un-freakin’-believable sums of money.

Our priorities are really misplaced when a center fielder makes more that 410 school teachers would make in a year.

Screw them all and the agents they rode in on!!

I’ll watch college sports! Adios!

By John K

October 25, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this

He’s gone. The Braves don’t have that kind of money. Besides, $20 million per season can buy plenty of younger talent.

By JT

October 25, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this

I Love Andrew, but at this stage in his career, he’s still got good years left, but not any 20 mil $ years! :) Boras, Go to Hell you greedy Bastard! Retire already! It was nice having you Andrew, but I agree, he’s way to Streaky! Has not come thru much in the clutch, except for ‘05 MVP Year Almost! If the Braves spend that much, which We all know now days is a joke! We couldn’t sign anyone else, but our usual Bargain Basement guys! Arthur, Cough up an Extra few Million or more, and PLEASE buy this Team! Turner sports has Drained the Life out of the Braves, and I’d hate to see the Braves go on a Decade losing streak! Chipper, You’re the man when Healthy, I’ve always backed you the past 10 years, but you just can’t stay Healthy. Get some bunion surgery or something!And rework your contract AGAIN! But, this time take a few million and give it back to the Team to go get ATLEAST a Top Starter, AND a 30 or 40 HR guy in Left Field! Langy your Defense is Superb, but your Hitting? PLEASE It was nice knowing ya pal! I really believe just 2 top players is all the Braves need to get back to the Dominant club they have been. And of course Healthy Braves! Well a LF’r, a Top Starter, and a Proven young SEt-Up Guy. Please don’t tell me we’re trusting Yates. Please he throws Hard, but much like Kenny Ray his control struggles alot. Good Luck JS! And OH Yeah, STOP TRADING ALL OUR FUTURE ALL-STARS FOR A BUNCH OF 1 YEAR RENTAL PLAYERS! DAMNIT SON! I’m still ticked about losing Betemit, sometimes I wonder Schuerholtz!

By Jerry

October 25, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this

** Trade him for Adam Wainwright or Wilson Bettemit, possibly the worst two trades in Braves history.

By Dick

October 25, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

What is the payroll for Detroit and St Louis. Good bye to Chipper J, Andrew J, that will save a lot of money

By JT

October 25, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this

Jerry,

yeah Lets try and get Betemit back. Wainwright would be nice as well! Maybe we can get Sheffield back! If he stays Healthy he’d do much better back in ATL than NY! Sorry on my last post, it’s Andruw of course not Andrew!! Davies I hope you get your confidence back, or it might be off to Richmond again! Chuckee James b**! You are the future #1 for us, if you don’t fall into that Sophmore slump crap! Smoltzie, I hope you stay Healthy for 1 more season. I have to tell you, Maddux is my All time Fav pitcher (The Master), But I Bet you money their is NO other player in Baseball more competitive than Smoltz! You are the man John. I think you might be my Favorite Brave of All Time, right their next to Mad Dawg! You and Glavine have proved when your ody and strength fade out over the years, You change your pitching styles! Only the Greats do that! All the Change-ups, breaking balls. Guys go up there thinking rd stuff from Smoltz, (Obviously) a Dominate Power pitcher! Then you drop the Ol’ Change on em! Keep it up!

By Dave from Chattanooga

October 25, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this

AMEN, BOOTS! I was probably one of the biggest baseball fans of all-time 5-10 years ago but these O B S C E N E salaries to play a FRIGGIN’ GAME have destoyed the sport. If they think for one minute that I don’t have enough sense to say “NO SIR” then they are delusional. To expect a typical hard-working, honest human being to bring his wife and kids to a game and pay what is required to feed these DULLARDS and their egos is unfathomable. Screw them all! I’ll watch college sports, too! The sport as we know it ended about the time that MEN like Dale Murphy hung up their cleats. Kiss my a* PROFESSIONAL SPORTS!

By Tyger

October 25, 2006 09:21 PM | Link to this

Mon Schuerholtz has ruined the Atlanta Crackers, Andruw is better off elsewhere. He gave these hicks a break on his last deal and commenced to win a gold glove every year and avg. 30 HRs per and see how they treat you.

Tell the Atlanta Crackers to go screw themselves in the rear.

By brian

October 25, 2006 09:26 PM | Link to this

trade Andruw now - it is obvious the Braves will not be able to resign him

And boycott anyplayer whose agent is Scott Boras

By Claudette

October 25, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

Andruw needs to let his Dad work out his deals and pay his Dad and not Scott. If he want to stay in Atlanta with his Family.

By Bob Montag

October 25, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this

Tyger- The Atlanta Cracker players were one hell of a team in 1955-59. I had many good days at Cracker games. The Braves always lose come play-off time, same song every year don’t turn me on.

By matt

October 25, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this

i’m very encouraged to see so many braves fans feeling the same way that i do. i wish andruw would rise above the price tag that scott boras has put on him, but unfortunately, he already did that several years ago. i wish he would just fire boras, the way sheffield did a few years ago. in fact, i wish all of boras’ clients would fire him so he’s no longer asking for ridiculous amounts of money for athletes who’ve had a good month of baseball.

it’s been great having andruw on the braves, but honestly, there’ve been several times this past year when i was so fed up with his offense that i was really hoping we’d trade his smiling-while-striking-out attitude and not running out a ground ball no matter where it’s hit. see you later, andruw, good luck fitting in to a better team managed by somebody else other than bobby cox.

By Ed

October 25, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this

This is a real no-brainer! You either pay him, and he is definitely worth the money,or you must get at least one top flight pitcher and a second starter and some new blood. The problem will be the “bean counters” mostly because they never do know what they are doing.

By Ed Bowers

October 25, 2006 11:42 PM | Link to this

It’s really very simple. You have two choices, one, you pay him. He is at the very least one of the top two or three center fielders in the business. Or you trade him and get a top flight starter, a #2 starter, and some new blood. But paying him may not happen because the “bean counters” really don’t know what they’re doing.

By Racinoto

October 26, 2006 06:52 AM | Link to this

Even with Andruw great defense, the pitching sucks. Spend the money on pitching and maybe we’ll see the post season next season.

By Jeff

October 26, 2006 07:44 AM | Link to this

Hey, Andruw:

You say you love the Braves and love Atlanta, but Boras and you know that the Braves’ payroll is capped around $80 million and isn’t going to climb significantly in the next couple of years, at least not enough to pay you $20 million per season and pay Hampton, Hudson, Smoltz and C. Jones the $30 million plus per year owed them.

Boras insists that you play in Atlanta in 2007, but why? Is he—or you—really thinking of your best interests?

Playing out your option in Atlanta involves risks. Say your numbers decline or you’re injured. Think there’s a $20 million pay out for 2008 and beyond in either case?

Look, if the Braves trade you, its going to be not only to a contender but almost certainly to a team that has the budget to try to sign you long term (the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers). For the sort of money you’ll demand, the chances are very, very good you’ll end up on one of those teams anyway in 2008. Why not work with Braves’ management this winter so that they can make a deal that gets you your big contract a year earlier?

You say you love the Braves and Atlanta, then give both a really good parting gift: the chance to get some solid talent in return for you.

By ChopChopWin

October 26, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this

So long Andrew. Hello Zito.

By J-dogg

October 26, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

I hope AJ will will forget about his no trade clause and give us a chance to get something for him. The worst thing that can happen to the Braves is having AJ for next year and still not getting in the playoffs. We have got to get quality young players for AJ.

By J-dogg

October 26, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this

I hope AJ will forget about the no trade clause and let us get something in return for him. The worst thing that can happen is if AJ plays this year with the braves and then walks with us getting nothing in return.

By Butch

October 26, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

I get a real kick out of reading the fans comments. It’s apparent that many of them don’t know much about baseball.

First, Andruw cannot be traded for ANYONE without his consent because he is a 10/5. Boras has already stated that Andruw WILL be a Brave in 2007, so enough of “trade him for young talent” or “rebuild the pitching staff” already.

Second, Bobby Cox can’t manage? I rank that one right up there with all of the screaming rants to trade Adam LaRoche last year. Bobby was patient and it paid off in that case. Oh, and by the way, what OTHER manager has taken a team to the playoffs for 14 consecutive years? How is that screwing up (cause he didn’t make 15?)

Third, Andruw Jones is out of shape? Why, because he looks different than when he was 19, some 10 years ago? Drama queen? He reaches balls no one else other than Willie May would ever come close to catching.

About the only thing consistent with these comments is that Boras is truly bad for baseball. Everyone agrees with that.

I say that if you can afford Andruw, sign him.

By Were Read 2 Def

October 26, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this

He’s worth no more than 15M a year. NO MORE. I would give him 45M for 3 years. He’ll probably fall apart like Chipper after that.

By Shaun

October 26, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

Baseball Prospectus’s Nate Silver uses a number of factors to project a players future performance (PECOTA). In this article he ranks the top 100 players (if every player were to become a free agent tomorrow):

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=silver/060418_2

Here’s what Mr. Silver has to say about AJ:

Despite his breakout season last year (2005), Jones is not the spry young athlete he used to be. It’s been five years since Andruw stole as many as 10 bases in a season, and he’s added significant weight to his 6-foot-1 frame. In short, he now profiles more like Jim Rice or Juan Gonzalez than Willie Mays or Ken Griffey Jr. He still should provide plenty of value to the Braves over the medium-term, especially since his fine center field defense always has been more the product of great instincts than blazing foot speed. But don’t be surprised if his batting average settles into the .250 range before long.

I guess Andruw could lose 20 lbs. and get back to the player he was in his mid-20’s, but it’s not likely to happen. Still a great player with decent plate discipline, great power and great instincts. He’s just not as quick or as fast as he used to be and probably will never be.

The Braves would do okay to resign him, but now is the right time to see what they can get for him.

By An Andruw Advocate

October 26, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

Sonny Brothers needs to agree to a performance-based contract himself instead of wasting the taxpayers’ dollars reading the AJC. I’m sure the government would like to pay him what he’s worth. However, there is a minimum wage law.

By Gene Crowder

October 26, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

NO THE BRVAVES SHOULD NOT RAISE HIS SALVERY, HE IS A VERY GOOD PLAYER BUT, HE MUST LEARN TO HIT TO RIGHT MORE AD BECOME A COMPLETE PLAYER.

By M. TYLER

October 26, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

I ENJOY WATCHING ANDRUW JONES PLAY CENTERFIELD…AND I LOVE TO SEE SOME OF HIS TAPE MEASURE HOME RUNS, BUT BOTH ANDRUW AND HIS AGETN MUST REALIZE, EVEN THOUGH MR. JONES IS YOUNG IN AGE, HE HAS A LOT OF MILES ON HIS LEGS AND BODY…AND WITH THE ECONOMY BEING AS IT IS, I DO NOT SEEING THE BRAVES PAYING A HEFTY SALARY FOR ANY OF THEIR CURRENT MAJOR LEAGUE ROSTER PLAYERS…I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANDRUW RETIRE IN ATLANTA, BUT IF HE GOES WITH HIS AGENT’S WISHES, WE WILL HAVE TO SAY “KEEP IN TOUCH KID”…

By bruce

October 26, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this

Wow… thoughts and sentiments all over the place on Andruw and Bora$$

Does anyone remember DOB’s extended Oct 9 interview with Andruw titled “A Peek Into Andruw’s Thoughts”? I am surprised no one has contrasted those sentiments by Andruw with the recent Bora$$ remarks.

Here is the link: http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2006/10/09/apeakinto_and.html

I recommend re-reading those remarks to put this most recent sally by Bora$$ into perspective. I did and…

I believe Andruw and JS will decide to negotiate once the ownership situation is fully resolved up to as late as mid-season next year for multi-year extension that is reasonable enough for both parties. I think if Andruw sees and believes the Braves are really back on track, he will want to stay and make the contract happen, all with ownership’s blessings.

By Dave from Chattanooga

October 26, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

See ya PUDGY. You are as totally disloyal to the team as TOM GLAVINE was. You and your ilk (Rafael Furcal) spout off about how “I’d like to stay a Brave” but we all know that only $ enters into your minds. Get lost, there are 100s of others who will play CF for far less. How anyone could idolize these overpaid jerks nowadays is unimaginable.

By kelly

October 26, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

Scott Boras is an arsehole.

By kelly

October 26, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

Dave from nooga…Andruw has taken, in the past, less money to stay a Brave. Yr’ talkin’ out yr’ a$$.

By marty

October 27, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this

Trade Andrew & let him take chipper jones with him.

By Chris

October 28, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

Did everyone forget that baseball is a business too?

By cincybravesfan

October 29, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

If, after this season with the Mets running away with the East, the Braves don’t realize that you have to spend money to keep your young talent then they will be a perennial .500 team, relying on its farm system to send up players that will utimately go to the biggest bidder when they mature.

Andruw is not even 30, a phenomenal run producer who is feared at the plate by all major league pitchers, and the best damn centerfielder I’ve ever seen (including Mays). He IS the type of franchise player you build around.

Baseball is really screwed up. Not that the fans have any say in this. Which is very unfortunate. What do we say to our kids when players like Andruw leave? “Well, that’s what the market will bear, son. If you want to be a winner, you should cheer for the wealthy teams!” What kind of values are we instilling in them?

I don’t have an answer. I know that I HATE seeing the Yankees, and now the Mets, snagging all the best players. There was some irony in watching the Mets and Yankees lose in the playoffs, but still it is a disconcerting trend. Maybe parity (like in the NFL) and salary caps are the answer.

By Deena

October 29, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

The Braves shouldn’t worry about signing Andruw and should concentrate on getting a new manager. Joe Torre can be on the chopping block, but the chump down here is untouchable? This is an outrage — I am calling for his head on a platter. THE MANAGER FOR THE BRAVES MUST GO!!

By a lanier

October 31, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

I’d wish him luck!