It's Official, Braves Part Ways with Andruw Jones

by gondeee on Nov 30, 2007 4:46 PM EST Comment 5 comments

From the team's official press release on arbitration eligible players:

The Atlanta Braves today offered salary arbitration to left-handed relief pitcher Ron Mahay and declined to offer arbitration to their other ranking free agent, outfielder Andruw Jones. Teams have until midnight on December 1 to offer arbitration to free-agent players.

We may have to take a moment to let reality set in; Andruw Jones will not play for the Atlanta Braves next year. No way, no how. We knew what the team said a month ago that Jones would not return, but some of us held out a little hope that one more year of Jones might be a boon rather than another bust.

Odds are we'll have to wait to see what kind of other offers Ron Mahay gets before we know if he'll be back with the Braves next year, but we will likely get outbid for his services by another team.

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I think you ...

were the one holding out hope. I believe most fans want to see a new CF era to start and the only way to do that is letting Jones go.

I'm not happy to see him go but understand its part of being a fan. Players come and they go. I finally understood that when Dale Murphy left. If I can get over that I'll get over Jones leaving.

by taney71 on Nov 30, 2007 7:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

like I said in the earlier post...

royals and nationals are the only teams expressing interest in signing him

cue laughter

by RehabReject on Nov 30, 2007 8:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone know?

Were the Braves scared Andruw would accept arbitration and therefore mandate at least 80% of last year's salary? I hate to lose the draft picks.

by mhsiegel14 on Nov 30, 2007 9:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yes, they were scared he would accept

At least 80% of last year's salary? As per the rules of arbitration, you have to give a player more money than you did the previous year if you offer arbitration. Andruw Jones made 13.5 million last season, so if the Braves offered arbitration and he accepted, they'd be paying him at least 14 million for 2008, likely more.

Roll that beautiful bean footage.

by Anonymous2 on Nov 30, 2007 10:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

The Braves keep saying they'd like a more experienced guy in center, so I guess anything is possible. If the braves don't give up too much, I wouldn't mind it!

by secondbass on Dec 2, 2007 5:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs