OK, maybe it wasn’t exactly a heist, but it was a great signing by the LA club. After watching the Angels drop $90 mil on Torii Hunter, the Dodgers spent about a third the price on Andruw Jones, who is a superior player. Just when I thought they would do something dumb like throw $60 million at Aaron Rowand, they sign one of the better center fielders in the game for proper-market value. Even in his worst year, Andruw still managed 26 homers and over 90 RBI. If he duplicates his ’06 stinker, he’ll still be the Dodgers best power hitter. I’m not sure if that’s more of a commentary on the Dodgers, or Andruw, but it’s still a significant piece of info.
Not only is the Jones contract a short-term commitment for a relatively little amount of money all things considered, but the signing gives the Dodgers flexibility to make a deal. They move Juan Pierre over to left field, and now Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp become expendable in right. Don’t be surprised if the Dodgers re-enter the Johan Santana sweepstakes. One problem for the Dodgers though, say they acquire the likes of Johan, they would be hard-pressed to sign him to a long-term deal. No matter what they do next, you can’t knock this signing — it was short term, at good value, and it fills two needs (power hitter and center fielder). Ned Colletti is on his way to redeeming himself (and Scott Boras cannot be pleased).
