Andruw Goes to Hollywood

December 10, 2007 @ 13:14:55

By Ryan Erb
Edited by Tim Heaney

After 12 seasons with the Atlanta Braves filled with 368 home runs, 10 straight Gold Glove Awards, five All-Star selections and a league-leading 51 home runs in 2005, centerfielder Andruw Jones was finally deemed expendable following a subpar 2007 campaign. The result for Jones, who hit a career-worst .222 with 26 home runs in 2007, was a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $36.2 million.

The list of awards and accomplishments for Jones is impressive, but at 30 years old and coming off his worst year at the plate, the Braves were willing to let the veteran test the free-agency waters. In addition to hitting .222 with only 26 home runs in 2007, Jones played with a hyper-extended elbow during the year that surely did not help his free-agency stock.

The Contract

Jones signed with the Dodgers for $36.2 million, receiving a $12.2 million signing bonus, $9 million in 2008 and $15 million in 2009. His arrival in Los Angeles will likely move outfielder Juan Pierre to leftfield as Jones will take to his customary position in centerfield.

The Kansas City Royals also showed interest in Jones. However, with an interest in staying in the National League, Jones was lured closer to the Dodgers with recruitment calls by former Braves teammate and current Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal.

The New Team

Jones' arrival in Los Angeles will first and foremost give the Dodgers the big bat they have been desperately seeking since third baseman Adrian Beltre left town following the 2004 campaign. It also moves Pierre, the Dodgers' centerfielder in 2007, to left field, which greatly improves the Dodgers' defense up the middle.

Jones immediately upgrades the Dodgers' offense as he will hit in either the No. 3 or No. 4 spot. The table-setters last year were Furcal and catcher Russell Martin, and with both remaining in the Dodgers' lineup, Jones will have plenty of RBI opportunities.

Table: Andruw Jones Statistics, 2003-2007

Year	Team	Games	AB	Hits	Runs	HR	RBI	AVG
2003	ATL	156	595	165	101	36	116	.277
2004	ATL	154	570	149	85	29	91	.261
2005	ATL	160	586	154	95	51	128	.263
2006	ATL	156	565	148	107	41	129	.262
2007	ATL	154	572	127	83	26	94	.222
Averages		156	578	149	94	37	112	.257

Over the last five seasons, Jones has been quite durable for a rangy centerfielder, averaging 156 games played per season. Despite his modest .257 average, Jones has managed to maintain an average clip of 37 home runs and 112 RBI per season over the last five years. He's a career .263 hitter with 368 home runs.

Jones will have plenty of help in front of him. Furcal crossed the plate 87 times in 2007 with a .333 on-base percentage while Martin also scored 87 times with a .374 on-base percentage. Martin, who also hit 19 home runs and notched 87 RBI, could potentially move down in the order to the No. 3 slot with the presence of Jones behind him at the No. 4.

Pierre, who enters his second year of a five-year contract with the Dodgers, may return to the top of the lineup and share leadoff or No. 2 duties with Furcal. If Pierre does move back to the top of the lineup, Jones may have three players in front of him whom all stole 20-plus bases in 2007. That kind of speed should lead to countless RBI opportunities for Jones.

Jones in Los Angeles

For the first time since his rookie season, Jones will not be playing half of his games in Atlanta. Instead, Jones will make his home in Dodger Stadium, a park that has baffled Jones in 36 career games to the tune of a .233 batting average. In 133 career at-bats at his new home, Jones has just six home runs and 20 RBI. He will need to improve if he plans on proving that 2007 was only an aberration.

Jones has the support of his general manager and now that he has been reunited with former teammate and friend, Furcal, he could experience a resurgence. Jones is old for a 30-year-old since he has a decade of experience on his legs. His strikeouts have also steadily increased over the last three seasons, from 112 in 2005 to 138 in 2007.

Either way, adding Jones has given the Dodgers a true slugger in the middle of their order, but regardless of whether or not he resigns after two years, his acquisition has allowed their management more freedom in pursuing young arms. This leaves Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti with four outfielders and only three positions to fill, which means that by the time the season rolls around Pierre or third-year outfielder Matt Kemp might be made available for premium pitching. Kemp hit .342 last season in 98 games with 10 home runs, 42 RBI and 10 stolen bases, and is the type of young prospect that could possibly yield a free-agent pitcher.

Fantasy Outlook

All of sudden signing Jones looks far more impressive than just adding a slugger to the lineup if Colletti and the Dodgers were able to sign another quality starter. The only question that remains is if Jones will regain his 2005-06 form or if last season was the beginning of a decline to a great career.

Even if he hits a decline, he makes for a great buy-low candidate in upcoming drafts. He still has the power potential even if his average has been tawdry the last few seasons. Most people will be selling him short, and he could make for a great steal if he drops into the middle rounds.

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Ryan Erb
Ryan has been a KFFL contributor since 2006.

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