Braves to discuss option of adding Andruw

Andruw Jones is there if they want him, but the Braves haven’t decided if they want him enough to make any significant commitment to the fallen former Atlanta center fielder.

“We’re going to have some internal discussions about his situation,” general manager Frank Wren said of Jones, 31, who was released Thursday by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jones worked out a deal with his agent to defer most of the remaining $21.1 million they owe him.

But they will eventually pay it all — the entire $36.2 million in a two-year contract they gave Jones when he left the Braves as a free agent following the 2007 season.

Agent Scott Boras said eight teams called Friday about the center fielder, and Boras said he would soon discuss with Jones his various options. Boras wouldn’t say what level of interest the Braves had expressed.

Jones hit .158 with three homers, 33 hits and 76 strikeouts in 209 at-bats in 2008. He spent time on the disabled list after knee surgery and was booed from opening day at Dodger Stadium.

Any team is free to sign Jones, who will get what he’s owed from the Dodgers in addition to what his next employer pays him.

He’s made it known he’d like to return to the Braves, but they are reluctant to consider offering him anything more than a minor-league contract and invitation to spring training.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has watched his former teammate hit frequently this winter, at Turner Field and at a facility in Suwanee.

“Andruw looks good, but he’s still got the pull-first mentality,” Chipper Jones said. “It sounds like wherever Andruw lands, he’s going to fall in someone’s lap. It’s a matter of what he’s willing to accept to come start over. I don’t think there’s any doubt he can still play center field, but people are a little leery of his last two offensive years.

“Until Andruw decides to make the adjustment at the plate, the necessary adjustments, people are going to continue to be leery.”

Jones wants a major league deal. The Braves seem inclined to see if a market develops for him before deciding whether to make an offer, if they make one at all.

“We have to look at it and it and discuss it,” said Wren, whose 40-man roster is currently full. “It’s not every day a situation like [Jones] comes up. It’s more complicated than just ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ “

The Braves have young center fielders Josh Anderson, Gregor Blanco and prospect Jordan Schafer to possibly compete for the job in spring training. Wren said the pursuit of another run-producing outfielder, perhaps for left field, isn’t as urgent as it was before the Braves bolstered their starting rotation.

“We can be patient,” he said.

Left fielder Matt Diaz signed a one-year contract this week, leaving four arbitration-eligible Braves unsigned: Jeff Francoeur, Kelly Johnson, Casey Kotchman and Mike Gonzalez.

During a 12-year career with the Braves, Jones hit 368 home runs and won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves through 2007.

But his decline has been precipitous. Since July 21, 2006, he has hit .209 with 46 homers and a .312 on-base percentage and 262 strikeouts in 993 at-bats (291 games).

“The fact that he has come and interacted with us [Braves] as much as he has this offseason tells me that I think he wants to get back in the fold somehow,” Chipper Jones said. “But that remains to be seen.”

— Carroll Rogers contributed to this report.