Once the gold standard for center-fielders in the majors, Andruw Jones has made a rapid descent back to Earth in just a couple years. Now he may not even be a center-fielder anymore. He played first base over the weekend during his rehab assignment. Though it was only to rest his aching knee and the feeling was this was a temporary measure, Joe Torre would not rule out the possibility of it becoming more. Of course he wouldn't. You'd have to be crazy to not at least consider the move for the remainder of this season, if no more. If Jones comes back and starts hitting the ball like the Andruw of old -- highly unlikely, by the way -- than Torre has nice flexibility. James Loney is a good hitter, but he's much better against righties (.310 vs. righties, .268 vs. lefties). Jones has traditionally hit lefties a bit better than righties.
Of course, Andre Ethier is horrible against southpaws ... much worse than Loney. Like I said, though, if they make this move it's all about flexibility. Torre can play Jones in the OF or at 1B while resting either Loney, Ethier, or both.
The only problem is that Andruw Jones sucks with the stick now. Will the move to first base be the cure-all remedy?
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The Dodgers need to take a big deep breath and eat Jones' remaining contract and release him. He was bad his last season in Atlanta and the fact the Dodgers signed with such a fat contract is a joke.
Totally agreed,
he sucked his last year in Atlanta..continued to grow in the waste...Just look at him now..He should be nicknamed "fatass"...
How sad the Dodgers were stupid enough to buy him but good for the Braves...He would just be costing us $17-20 mil for a 4th place team...
Ditch him...Let him eat cake...or steak..or a whale...Free Willy!!!!
At least Ethier can hit with RISP. He is hitting around 270 against lefties with RISP, where as no one expects Jones to do anything more than strike out with runners on. However, Ethier is only hitting 143 against lefties in late innings. So if Jones can do anything, *gasp* he could be a late inning defensive sub?
As for Loney, he is hitting 270 against lefties with .991 fielding. I'd rather keep that than take a risk on the failure of epic proportions, (pardon the slight pun) Anrdruw Jones.