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Andruw Jones Wants to Return to MLB

By Stanford Crissey

Mar 18, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Netherlands designated hitter Andruw Jones (25) warms up during batting practice before the game against Dominican Republic of the World Baseball Classic semifinal at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Netherlands designated hitter Andruw Jones (25) warms up during batting practice before the game against Dominican Republic of the World Baseball Classic semifinal at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Longtime outfielder Andruw Jones has expressed an interest in returning to MLB.

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The agent of former MLB slugger Andruw Jones’ agent, Scott Boras, told ESPN.com that the 17-year veteran, who last played in 2012 for the Yankees, wants to return stateside after playing for two years in Japan.

Jones, 37, was a perennial All-Star for the Braves from 1997-2007, well known as a fielding phenom in centerfield, winning ten gold gloves and finishing second in the MVP voting in 2005. However, he signed a free agent deal with the Dodgers in 2008 and had a legendarily bad season (he hit .158) from which he never recovered. These days, age and physical limitations have sapped his defensive effectiveness, and in his last MLB tenure, he hit .197 with a .294 on-base percentage for New York, although he did provide 14 home runs.

Boras said Jones’ goals are suitably modest: he just wants to be a part-time designated hitter or a bench player.

“He wants to play in the big leagues again,” Boras said. “He’s still got his power. If you can hit 25 home runs in Japan, you’re doing something.”

Jones, a native of the Dutch island nation of Curaçao, has 434 career home runs, and his name has been mentioned as a future hall of fame candidate. Teams are often willing to take a chance on players who have displayed such talent, so there may yet be a place for him in the big leagues. On the other hand, if Boras demands $80 million, that chance could evaporate.

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