Just a few observations in the wake of the Dodgers signing Andruw Jones for two years and $36.2 million ...
• Not that we needed more evidence, but when you consider Jones' new deal with Torii Hunter's, it's apparent that MLB's economics really have changed, and somewhat radically. It wasn't long ago that only the very best players, the superstars, earned more than $15 million per season. But now Jones and Hunter are earning $18 million per season, and neither qualifies as a superstar.
• Sure, Jones was a great player for a few years, mostly because of his stellar defense. But while he's still a Gold Glove-quality center fielder, his defense has slipped and will only slip further. Meanwhile, fundamentally he's never been a truly great hitter. Now past his prime, Jones' career hitting stats -- .342 on-base percentage, .497 slugging -- are merely good, and he's finished higher than eighth in MVP balloting just once in his career. And again, at 30 years old, he's past the age at which we would expect him to get better. So that's where the market's at: $18 million per season for good players.
• With Jones aboard, every inquisitive Dodger fan wants to know what happens to erstwhile center fielder
Juan Pierre, who's still owed
$36.5 million over the next four years. The early speculation is that he gets pushed into left field, but that's only because it's hard to imagine the Dodgers benching somebody they still owe $36.5 million. I'm not sure how general manager
Ned Colletti explains this to his boss, but Pierre simply must be benched or traded (and if traded, the Dodgers will have to eat an unhealthy chunk of that kooky contract). Oh, and while Colletti's at it, maybe he can dump
Nomar Garciaparra and
his $11 million salary (plus bonus).
Rob Neyer
