Comments on: Valuing Andruw Jones

By: Marc Schneider

Marc Schneider — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 22:08:54 +0000

I wish Andruw the best but it was time to part ways. If the Braves offered arb and he took it, he would be making more than Chipper, Smoltz, and Teixera–all better players. I’m a lot more skeptical than JC about his ability to bounce back (although I do think a lot of his problems last year were injury-related) but, even if he does, I’m not sure his “normal” year (ie, 35-40 homeruns, not 50) is enough to justify the salary for the Braves. It might well be good enough for the Dodger. At any rate, Andruw will still be able to collect cars.

And I disagree about the unrealistic expectations. I don’t think people expected him to be Griffey (although his minor league numbers would have suggested that) or Mays but I think we expected more offensive consistency than we got. He carried the team for awhile in 2005 when Chipper got hurt but, other than that year, he was never a dominant player. I’m sure I’m being simplistic about this and, obviously his defense adds a lot of value but he certainly was never the best player on the team. Having said that I do think Andruw received a lot of unfair criticism last year for ostensibly “not hustling” or not being intense enough or whatever when he obviously played hurt most of the year.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:01:45 +0000

Fans always criticized Andruw for not being Ken Griffey Jr. but he is a hell of a player. Better than Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells, Aaron Rowand and Mike Cameron.

In the end the Dodgers made a good deal but so did the Braves. If the choice was Texiera or Jones they chose wisely.

I’m slowly starting to condition myself to the sight of a slap and run center fielder for the near term.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:39:37 +0000

Agreed: I’ve always liked Andruw, and his move to L.A. won’t change that. All the same, I think he deserved more years and more dollars for his complete body of work — Hunter’s, in comparison, is quite pale.

By: levi

levi — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:07:33 +0000

I’m with you, JC. I wish nothing but the best for Andruw. It’s too bad the Braves didn’t offer him arbitration.

By: pawnking

pawnking — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:44:51 +0000

He’s always been a special player and I believe he’ll fit in very well with the Dodger’s culture. Given that he started so young and therefore will have great counting stats, has so many Gold Gloves, and has so far a couple of truly great seasons, I wonder if and when he makes the HOF.