Per Ken Rosenthal, FOX sports Nov. 9
The Nationals want to sign free-agent center fielder Andruw Jones, sources say, but only at the right price. It's unlikely the Nationals would give Jones, say, $16 million per season. But if the Nats were getting a perceived bargain, one rival executive says, they would jump.
Nationals team president Stan Kasten says he opposes adding a premium free agent to a rebuilding club, and some in the industry doubt that he could strike a deal for Jones with agent Scott Boras. Kasten, however, recently visited Jones at his Atlanta home, according to the Washington Post.
The reality is, the Nats should be motivated to make a splash. They open a new ballpark next season. They badly need a slugger, not to mention star power. And Jones, 30, still would be in his prime if the team became more competitive in two or three years.
At the moment, the market for Jones is unclear. The Giants and White Sox are two potential suitors. The Dodgers also could be a possibility, and the Padres might become involved if Jones' price drops. But the Orioles are out and the Rangers seem to want a younger, more inexpensive center fielder.
A number of teams, including the Red Sox, could join the bidding if Jones is willing to sign a one-year deal in an effort to rebuild his value. Boras, however, scoffed at the idea that Jones might not land a significant multi-year contract.
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Nationals right-hander Garrett Mock is pitching well in the Arizona Fall League, and could be the team's No. 3 starter next season. The Nats would like to trade for another young, major league-ready starter — and the Mets' Kevin Mulvey and Twins' Kevin Slowey both fit that description. However, the Indians' Cliff Lee would be a more established option. Nats outfielder Ryan Church, a left-handed hitter coming off a 15-homer, 70-RBI season, continues to intrigue many clubs.
