Bring Andruw Jones Back?
Should the Braves bring Andruw back? That is the question. They need a legit CF. Jones is available and he is right here in Atlanta.
The cost would be minimal. That's good. The Dodgers will pay him millions, so you don't have to. And dude wants to come back . Sounds like an easy decision for Fran Wren and Bobby Cox to make, but it really isn't.
Before you sign Andruw Jones to a minor league deal, Bobby Cox has to sit down and have a heart to heart. Address a few things. See where his head is at. Find out what his attitude is like right now. If that's not right, then you need to pass. Seriously.
The first thing that I'd like to know is this: Andruw, are you committed to getting it back? What is the commitment level? Is he fat and happy or is he ready to get back to work? Commitment #1 is to trim down. Get in shape. Eliminate that question from the equation. Look him in the eye and ask him to put down the cerveza's, quit partying and get serious about his conditioning. If he's not, don't bring him back.
To me, this is a question about commitment. Is Andruw willing to do what ittakes to get back. And with every pro athlete, that starts with showing up in shape.
Commitment #2 has to come between the ears and at the plate. Chipper says, "he's still got that pull-first mentality." That approach is pushing him out of the game. That mentality had him hitting .158 last season. Can he change? Can he go from trying to hit every pitch out of the park, to taking the pitch back up the middle? If not, don't bring him back.
You'd think a guy who's in a situation where he's trying to salvage a career would be willing to do both of these things. To me, it's not really up to the Braves. It's all up to Andruw. It's up to him to come back and earn the job.
The cost would be minimal. That's good. The Dodgers will pay him millions, so you don't have to. And dude wants to come back . Sounds like an easy decision for Fran Wren and Bobby Cox to make, but it really isn't.
Before you sign Andruw Jones to a minor league deal, Bobby Cox has to sit down and have a heart to heart. Address a few things. See where his head is at. Find out what his attitude is like right now. If that's not right, then you need to pass. Seriously.
The first thing that I'd like to know is this: Andruw, are you committed to getting it back? What is the commitment level? Is he fat and happy or is he ready to get back to work? Commitment #1 is to trim down. Get in shape. Eliminate that question from the equation. Look him in the eye and ask him to put down the cerveza's, quit partying and get serious about his conditioning. If he's not, don't bring him back.
To me, this is a question about commitment. Is Andruw willing to do what ittakes to get back. And with every pro athlete, that starts with showing up in shape.
Commitment #2 has to come between the ears and at the plate. Chipper says, "he's still got that pull-first mentality." That approach is pushing him out of the game. That mentality had him hitting .158 last season. Can he change? Can he go from trying to hit every pitch out of the park, to taking the pitch back up the middle? If not, don't bring him back.
You'd think a guy who's in a situation where he's trying to salvage a career would be willing to do both of these things. To me, it's not really up to the Braves. It's all up to Andruw. It's up to him to come back and earn the job.
Though he had his slumps at home in Atlanta, he was oft considered the greatest CF ever to play. The guy was obviously lost in LA. It might be the steal of the century if we got his devalued butt back here and his bat got back in the groove. With our improved pitching staff, it might be worth it just for his fielding ability.
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I think you have to give Andruw a shot. He has been a pull first guy his entire career and he has done pretty well up until the last 2 seasons. He looks to be in the best shape he has been in in years. I think it is clear he wants to be here. Besides the risk is to minimal not ot give it a shot.
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Buck, I just found your blog and I glad that I did. I have always enjoyed your commentary. What was the name of the oyster bar in Valdosta all those years ago? Where Lindsay ate the raw shrimp?
Later
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Buck,
I think what is hoped for in Andruw's situation is an intellectual and psychological epiphany. Somehow, someway, at 30 something years old, he is going to completely change his mindset. He will change his ideas on his stance, his swing, his training, and his lifestyle. This is after being in the league since he was 19. I don't see it happening.
The idea of signing him to a minor league contract is tempting to some. Personally, I would be happier just to be permanently rid of him. He is a disaster. I never was a fan of his lackadaisical approach to the game. To expect him to change his personality is too much to hope for.
No to Andruw Jones.
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I think they should give him a shot in spring training. Hell they gave Raul Mondesi a shot, and they cut him after they saw it wasn't going to work. But Frank Wren is not going to invite him. His days in Atlanta are done. Andruw Works hard. He was at the ball park last year in LA everyday early (also when he was in Atlanta), but he gets into bad habits when he is in the game. He barley hit .240 I think in winter ball this year. WINTER BALL ! He will always be loved in Atlanta, but Frank is making the right call on this one
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