“I’m an everyday guy or I need to move out,” he said.

Well at least we all know where he stands.

This quote is like taking $120 billion from the government and then going on a half million dollar luxury retreat. Except you can't shut up about it.

the House is currently debating a bailout plan for Andruw's contract

If he wants to be a starting center fielder, the Long Beach Surf Dawgz are right nearby.

the House is currently debating a bailout plan for Andruw's contract

Oh god, that will certainly sink the federal government in bankrupcy.

Was his falling off a cliff in such a short time foreseen by anyone? Wasn't too long ago he was (unfairly) being included in MVP talks.

“I’m an everyday guy or I need to move out,” he said.

Hometown Buffet is probably hiring in the greater L.A. area...

Or Anaheim.

Hope you like Albuquerque next year Andruw Jones.

Was his falling off a cliff in such a short time foreseen by anyone? Wasn't too long ago he was (unfairly) being included in MVP talks.

I never really bought that he would be great late into his career, because he seemed to be a stupid player (not understanding which pitch was coming, etc.) who got along on amazing natural talent. When it became clear that he was not all that dedicated to staying in top shape, it seemed natural that he would fall off quickly. I argued early last season that there was still a good possibility Andruw Jones would not get into the Hall of Fame (which people argued was inevitible because he would certainly get to 500-600 HR and 10 Gold Gloves). Now it seems almost certain he won't.

One funny thing that I learned at my high school reunion is that a girl I graduated with is/was his personal chef. So you can blame the skill of CCHS class of '95 for his decline. :)

Was his falling off a cliff in such a short time foreseen by anyone?

More like rolled off the cliff.

Or was rolling one while going over the cliff.

Andruw Jones would not get into the Hall of Fame (which people argued was inevitible because he would certainly get to 500-600 HR and 10 Gold Gloves). Now it seems almost certain he won't.

Yeah, I was probably one of those -- I've certainly argued that elsewhere.

He is looking mighty toasty. His HoF chances would be a lot better if he'd gotten himself beaned two years ago.

As you hint, they're not dead though. 6 seasons of 22 HR will get him to 500. If he could get himself back to a 100 OPS+ type player maybe he'd get enough playing time. But the Dodgers aren't going to give it to him and nobody's gonna give the Dodgers anything for him even if the Dodgers pick up the full contract. I suppose the Royals or Nats might be willing to try him for a starting spot under the right circumstances.

The best hope is that he reports to spring training in the best shape of his life, looks solid, and then the Dodgers get some B- prospect in exchange for eating his entire contract - which is less than he normally eats, apparently.

I'm not counting on it, though.

6 seasons of 22 HR will get him to 500. If he could get himself back to a 100 OPS+ type player maybe he'd get enough playing time.

When those are the conditions needed to make a player HOF-worthy, we need to rethink HOF-worthiness. I know Jones had a nice run, but six years of 22 HR, fielding-diminishing Andruw Jones would be hard to watch. Not that we're unused to having a hard time watching Andruw Jones these days.

When those are the conditions needed to make a player HOF-worthy, we need to rethink HOF-worthiness. I know Jones had a nice run, but six years of 22 HR, fielding-diminishing Andruw Jones would be hard to watch. Not that we're unused to having a hard time watching Andruw Jones these days.

It won't happen anyway. If the only improvement in Jones is increasing his homers to 22 per year, without significant improvement elsewhere, he won't get 6 more seasons as a regular, or even as a backup. He needs to improve in every aspect, significantly. And given his career, if he does so, it would be more 30+ hrs per year he'd be hitting. But I don't see that happening.

I'm eyeballing it here but I'd say Jones's projection is around .250/.330/.470. That's decent enough that he'll keep getting work. If his troubles last year were health-related and are now solved, he should be expected to do even better.

If his troubles last year were health-related and are now solved, he should be expected to do even better.

And his troubles the season before?

His injury came AFTER a horrendous start.

When those are the conditions needed to make a player HOF-worthy,

I didn't exactly say it made him HOF-worthy.

But a CF with 500 HR, 10 consecutive gold gloves, 5 AS games and a 2nd place MVP would definitely have a shot at getting voted in.

We joke about him now and he was never a great hitter but some of the defensive metrics put him off the charts in his prime and he had a defensive reputation that I'd say was greater than any CFer (at least any CFer who could hit at all) since Mays. Andruw Jones ages 20-29 is an excellent 10-year peak especially from the voters' perspective. It's not Mantle or Mays and on its own I don't think it will get him much consideration but he was a damn fine player for 10 years.

If the only improvement in Jones is increasing his homers to 22 per year, without significant improvement elsewhere, he won't get 6 more seasons as a regular

As I said, he needs to get back to being a 100 OPS+ hitter -- which is basically average for a CF. Say Mike Cameron 2007 -- 242/328/431 with 21 HR -- which is basically Andruw Jones 2007 with 20 points of BA. (That's not to equate the two necessarily, that Cameron year was in San Diego, a tough place to hit. Cameron put up the same line with 40 more points of SLG in Milwaukee this year, good for a 109 OPS+, so 240/330/430 would still be in the ballpark of 100.)