The Narnia 3 Blog

Dodgers Sign Andruw Jones

The Dodgers signed Andruw Jones, formerly of the Atlanta Braves, to a two-year contract for about $36 million. This may or may not work out for the Dodgers. Here are the ways in which it could work:

• If nothing else this provides the Dodgers with a significant upgrade in center field defense. Jones is a 10 time gold glove winner and even at this point in his career is one of the top five center fielders. However, this will only work for the Dodgers if he replaces Juan Pierre. If Pierre moves to Left Field, his defensive liability simply moves with him and he takes away playing time from Andre Ethier (or worse Matt Kemp).
  
• This will work for the Dodgers if Jones shows up to camp in shape and ready to play. It seems that Jones has lived on his pure ability without a real disciplined approach to the game. Last year this may have finally caught up with him. Despite hitting 26 homes runs and driving in 94, he only batted .222 and struck out 138 times. He has never hit for a high average, but last year was pretty terrible, about 50 points below his career stats. After hitting 51 and then 41 homes runs (2005-06) his swing really got out of whack. However, he is only 30, so there is no reason that he can't still be a major producer.
  
• Looking at the way Jones has always carried himself, a somewhat disinterested, nonchalant persona, this will only work for the Dodgers if Jeff Kent is traded. Kent is bad in the clubhouse on his best days and Kent with Jones certainly doesn't bode well for team chemistry.
  

I'm still hopeful that the Dodgers will abandon any more position player moves (except to get rid of Jeff Kent). Let LaRoche play third and be done with it. Trade Pierre or show him the bench, but find at least one good starting pitcher with a track record of winning and eating up innings. The rotation right now is Billingsley, Penny, and Lowe for sure. Jason Schmidt is unknown, Estban Loiaza is unknown, and even with all of his potential Clayton Kershaw may not be ready to make the jump into the rotation.

The Dodgers could have made worse moves or signings than this. If Jones can hit closer to his life time average (.265) and get close to 40 home runs, then it is probably a good signing. There is a no trade clause in the contract, but with it only being two years, that isn't a big deal.