Jim Leyland was given a contract extension. Andruw Jones, as expected, will not be back with the Braves. Atlanta will not offer him a contract.
I can't imagine anyone who would offer Andruw a contract near his asking price after his craptacular performance this season.
http://sportspickle.com/ Atlanta Braves outfielder ripped a line drive into the gap last night, splitting the left and center fielder and rolling all the way to the wall. As the centerfielder scooped the ball up and fired it into the cut-off man, Jones eased his way out of the batter’s box. “That’s the thing you have to love about Andruw Jones,” said Atlanta manager Bobby Cox. “He’s in his contract year, yet he still gives the same effort out there that he does every other season. His laziness is consistent, year in and year out.” Jones says he would have legged out a double on the hit, only he didn’t want to. “Effort is overrated,” said Jones. “Ask anyone in baseball who they would rather have on their team – Andruw Jones or David Eckstein – and I’d bet they say ... I’d bet they’d say ... I don’t even remember what I was talking about. This is boring. And talking is too much of an effort. I’m going to take a nap.”
My guess is a team that plays in a large market that lacks a superstar name will go out and sign Jones to a bloated contract. My bet is San Francisco but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the White Sox or Texas. As far as Leyland, he earned it. He got the team to the World Series last year and where only a mid season slump away from being back in contention for another postseason trip.
