The Yankees and outfielder Andruw Jones have agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal, pending a physical. The contract contains $1.2 million in performance-based incentives.
The deal was completed a day after Cashman and Jones’ agent Scott Boras had lengthy talks. Boras was at Yankee Stadium for the press conference to introduce another of his clients, Rafael Soriano. Afterward, Cashman and Boras huddled to figure out a deal for Jones.
The signing almost definitely ends any hope of Johnny Damon returning to the Yankees. Damon was viewed as a backup plan if they could not sign Jones, whom the Yankees view as a much better fielder.
Jones, 33, is coming off a disappointing three-year stretch, but he will be moving from a starting role to a bench player with the Yankees. They will use him as a fourth outfielder, primarily against left-handed pitching.
Despite his weak .230 average with the White Sox last year, Jones managed a .931 OPS against left-handers.
“He can still help a team win with his glove and power, but he’s not the All-Star elite player he was in his prime,” on NL talent evaluator said.
In the field, Jones is an upgrade from Marcus Thames, who occupied the fourth outfielder spot last season. The Yankees plan on using Jones at all three outfield spots. Last year, he played 62 games in right field, 17 in center and 12 in left.
Wednesday, Boras said Jones accepts the fact he is no longer a starting player. The agent said Jones hopes to be a starter again one day but knows he must prove he is capable of doing that.
“I think at this point, he’s going to have to prove himself in the major leagues to get that,” Boras said. “Right now, the opportunities that are available to him are more in the realm of being a guy that can play all three outfield positions and be a fourth outfielder.”
Jones hit 19 home runs for the White Sox last year, a year after hitting 17 for the Rangers.
Jones is a five-time All-Star, and was the runner-up for the 2005 NL MVP award. He also has 10 Gold Gloves.
Jones spent 12 seasons with the Braves before signing a two-year, $36.2 million deal with the Dodgers before the 2008 season. He lasted one year in Los Angeles. A knee injury and weight issues hampered him, and he batted .158 with three home runs and 14 RBIs over 75 games.
The Yankees will have to make a roster move when Jones’ contract is official because their 40-man roster is full.