Andruw Jones Signs with Dodgers - 2 yrs/$36 million

[Gibby]

Andruw and the Dodgers have reached an agreement. Best of luck to him, except when they face the Braves.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Dodgers landed the bat they've been seeking, reaching agreement on Wednesday night with free-agent outfielder Andruw Jones on a two-year, $36 million contract, according to a baseball official. The deal is contingent on Jones passing a physical exam.
Jones, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All Star, will take over center field, with Juan Pierre likely moving to left.
The negotiations, which appeared to be moving at a snail's pace over the first three days of the Winter Meetings, reached a rapid conclusion on Wednesday night. The short-term deal will allow Jones to rehabilitate his stats in time for another bite at the free-agent apple while still in his prime.
The market for Jones had been underwhelming in the wake of the worst season of his career -- .222 average, 26 homers, 94 RBIs. He also had interest from the Kansas City Royals.
Jones' former Braves teammates, however, indicated that he preferred to stay in the National League and was getting antsy for a resolution. Another former Atlanta teammate, Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal, placed more than one recruiting phone call to Jones, understandable because they were the closest of friends when they played together.
Jones, 30, is the big bat Colletti has been seeking since taking over two years ago, especially if his 2007 performance is an aberration compared with the previous two seasons, when he slugged 92 homers with 257 RBIs. The Dodgers made a run at acquiring Jones a year ago, but Jones would not waive a no-trade clause. What happened to Jones in 2007? Trying to play with a secretly hyper-extended elbow didn't help, but such decisions are commonplace with free agency looming.

[Hobbes]

Andruw, Dodgers reach agreement

Deal calls for two years and $36 million, per a baseball official

[Chief Knockahoma]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.

enjoy Dodger fans!

[charpotsss]

Wow, a 2-year contract. I guess that's better than a one-year deal, but what a disappointment for him in comparison to what he could've had without last season.

[McCarroll21]

How did he get $18 million a year coming off an absolutely atrocious season? I'm sure Andruw will welcome Boras to run all his negotiations in two years after he pretty much crashed and burned this go around.

[Hobbes]

How did he get $18 million a year?

He wanted to match Hunter, and the Dodgers likely caved in exchange for making it only two years.

[Jsh1284]

I honestly hope he does well. If he continues on the pace that he was on before last year, he's got a shot to be around Willie Mays territory on the all-time homer list. Of course, I hope he can't even foul any off against the Braves. I don't exactly expect the first thing to happen, though. He's been tearing up his body in CF for too long.

Also, it's kinda funny to see the Dodgers lock up so much money in him (even though it's only two years) after that terrible season. On the other hand, anything is an upgrade over Juan Pierre in CF.

[JayDonnelly10]

Its the best deal Andruw was going to get coming off his disappointing 2007 season...

I actually think this is a great deal for the Dodgers...its only 2 years, Andruw isnt going to have as bad a year as last and still plays great def. They also are only keeping him for two years rather than any sort of long term deal where his body with begin to break down....its a great signing, $18 million a season is pricey but they have the cash

I wonder what type of deal hell be able to scratch out in two years....

[Gibby]

The Dodgers landed the bat they've been seeking

Is that the double play bat, the strikeout bat, or the rally killing bat? Seriously, I'll miss him, but I won't miss dreading everytime he came to the plate in a clutch situation last year.

[charpotsss]

Is that the double play bat, the strikeout bat, or the rally killing bat? Seriously, I'll miss him, but I won't miss dreading everytime he came to the plate in a clutch situation last year.

Haha!

Funny though how different it felt when he came to bat back in 05 and at times it felt like he hit a homer every time he stepped up to the plate.