Andruw Jones

[bethemooseman]

I was reading the thread about which Hall Of Fame players are overrated, particularly the last part arguing Ozzie Smith's credentials. It got me thinking about other defensively great players who might deserve to be in. It could be a dumb question, (I haven't been a big baseball fan except for the last 5 or 6 years. I've tentatively followed the Braves most my life, but have only recently gotten more involved. [mostly because of my love for baseball mogul has sparked further interest]) but what about Andruw Jones. Arguably the greatest defensive center fielder ever in his prime, his average is only a few points lower than Ozzie's. And that's not mentioning his 371 home runs, and he is only 31. Although, he does strikeout more than a player who only draws about 60 walks a season should. Again, could be a dumb question, but you guys know more about it than I do.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Andruw Jones has been an overrated defensive center fielder for a while now. He's still good, but he's no Jim Edmonds or Willie Mays. Problem is, unless he smartens up and starts working out, he could face the possibility of getting a lot worse as his waist gets wider.

Comparing Andruw Jones and Ozzie Smith offensively is like comparing apples and oranges, really.

Andruw Jones has played his entire career in an era of offense that was previously unprecedented, where Smith played most of his career in a relatively low-average offensive era. I would guess the league average SS and CF are similarly valuable overall offensively, so that's a relatively unimportant point. But again, unless Jones gets himself back in shape and finds his swing again, the closest he'll be getting to Cooperstown is sitting there while Chipper reads his acceptance speech.

If Jones can "find it" again he could definitely put up the numbers to be a Hall of Famer, but I can't say I see that happening the way he's been going the past 2-3 seasons.

[HoustonGM]

Had Jones not fallen off a cliff and had he stayed productive through his mid-late 30's, I could see the argument for him. Of course, I'd need to see what that production looked like before actually making any decision. That's not how things have gone though, and I think Jone faces a really uphill battle to get back to respectability. There's a miniscule chance that he turns himself around and gets back on the Hall of Fame track. So, given how things seemed to have turned out, no, I don't think there's an argument for Jones.

Jones was certainly a top defensive center fielder, one of but not the best ever, in his prime, but most defensive metrics agree that he suffered a major dropoff in the recent years. Baseball Prospectus' fielding runs above average starting in 1997 for Jones go like this:

97 - +22
98 - +25
99 - +30
00 - +16
01 - +19
02 - +21
03 - +25
04 - +2
05 - -9
06 - -4
07 - +10
08 - +2

As you can see, in this system, Jones suffered a dramatic dropoff defensively after 2003. Jones had a Hall of Fame peak, but not high enough to get in solely based on that ala Sandy Koufax, and he doesn't have enough value outside of his peak to get in for his whole career unless he defeats the huge odds and turns himself around.

[grasshopper]

PS, way to make us feel old. Andru is only 29/30 yo right now. Hate or love it, he is a huge upgrade in CF for most teams. I am sick and tired of reading post about this guy like he is 50 and has had 2 strokes. I will take him in my CF any day.

[grasshopper]

Sorry, my bad he was born in Curacao in 77. Still amazing player. I will take him on the Yanks anyday.

[filihok]

PS, way to make us feel old. Andru is only 29/30 yo right now. Hate or love it, he is a huge upgrade in CF for most teams. I am sick and tired of reading post about this guy like he is 50 and has had 2 strokes. I will take him in my CF any day.

Here's the number. Ask for Ned or Kim.

[grasshopper]

Wtf? Who care when he played for the Dodgers. At Age 19 he hit 2 of the most critical HRs in the WS.

[filihok]

You said you'd take him in your CF anyday. Call up and make an offer. I'm sure Ned will listen.

[grasshopper]

I would cream my pants to have him on the Yanks. So would Joe, so I dont think soon.

[HoustonGM]

Have you seen what Andruw has done the last two years? More importantly, last year? Also, have you actually seen Andruw, let alone seen him play, the last two years? The guy has ballooned, his swing is a mess, his performance proves it.

Like I said, he can turn it around, sure. Stranger things have happened. But, the odds are against him. Check out Dale Murphy, though, for one comparison. Murphy dropped off a cliff at age 32 and never returned. Jones has already dropped even further than Murphy did around that age.

[cartman00000001]

PS, way to make us feel old. Andru is only 29/30 yo right now. Hate or love it, he is a huge upgrade in CF for most teams. I am sick and tired of reading post about this guy like he is 50 and has had 2 strokes. I will take him in my CF any day.

Here's the number. Ask for Ned or Kim.

Might be the post of the year!! LOL

[Swampdog]

As a Red Sox fan, I would sincerely love nothing more than to see Jones patrolling CF for the Yanks for 162 games next season, and for several more after that.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

As a Red Sox fan, I would sincerely love nothing more than to see Jones patrolling CF for the Yanks for 162 games next season, and for several more after that.

I was thinking the exact same thing .

[BINGLEBOP]

Here's the number. Ask for Ned or Kim.

Hilarious! A++++++++++ like they say on eBay.

Wtf? Who care when he played for the Dodgers. At Age 19 he hit 2 of the most critical HRs in the WS.

Yeah? So? He's not 19 anymore... a little problem there. Willie Mays hit 52 home runs in 1965... might as well call him up too!

[Swampdog]

Not to just pick nits here....

At the age of 19, Jones hit two home runs in Game 1 of the 1996 WS for Atlanta. The Braves won that game 12-1. Someone explain to me how those homers were among the "most critical" in WS history.

I still want him in CF for NY this year.