Adam Jones Extends Stay With The Birds!
Roch Kubatko reports that the best player this year on the team is now locked in long-term, as the Orioles and center-fielder, Adam Jones agreed to a six-year, $85.5 million contract. Jones leads the team in average, RBI, and home runs in 2012. Jones would have been a free agent after the 2013 season, so Dan Duquette worked hard and got this contract done. I feel that it is a reasonable amount for all sides. We knew Jones was not going to get the $160 million that the Los Angeles Dodgers paid Matt Kemp. Jones has been the MVP so far this season for the team tied for the best record in the AL with Texas.
The details of the deal were tweeted by Dan Connolly in these links. Certain clauses in the deal can push the total value of the contract to $91.5 million. In yearly salaries, Jones will make $8.5 million in 2013, followed by $13 million in 2014 and 2015, $16 million in 2016 and 2017, and $17 million in 2018, featuring a signing bonus of $2 million. Lastly, there is no option for a seventh year in this deal.
Here is a career statistical profile for the Orioles outfielder, showing his increases in home runs and RBI each year. Jones is in his 26-year old year and is pacing the Orioles offensive attack. He also plays a great defensive center field, making some catches look effortless and easy. Another tidbit with Jones is that he makes those highlight reel catches all while blowing bubbles of gum; talk about multitasking. Jones’ OBP, SLG, and OPS have stayed relatively similar throughout his career. The amount of walks has always been a low number, and Jones needs better plate selection.
Overall, I think this move was a must do for the Orioles front office. Jones was becoming expensive through arbitration and I’d rather us sign him earlier than later. This also shows the fanbase that Duquette is willing to put out the cash to keep us a contending team not only in the short-term, but in the future as well. Next order of business will be locking up catcher, Matt Wieters. As a lifelong O’s fan, it’s a great feeling to know that one of the building blocks of this team will be around for our next winning season; which can hopefully be this year in 2012.
