“Connolly’s Tap Room” has moved to a new, pricier location, and in its place, I’m pleased to introduce, “Dubroff’s Diner.”
The diner will be a place where we can meet to debate the Orioles’ issues of the day and, as you know, there are many.
At the diner, everyone is welcome for a free meal. There’ll be plenty of cheeseburgers, onion rings, crab cakes and tuna fish sandwiches on the menu, and the walls will be decorated with “Jerseys of the Game.”
There’s no set day for the diner, but you’ll get a chance to visit it regularly.
For our first question, let’s talk about Adam Jones. With Manny Machado and Zach Britton moving on to more competitive environs, Jones, who has been with the team since 2008, is by far the most well-known and popular player left.
A few teams, including the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillie,s are reportedly interested in him.
Unlike Britton and Machado, Jones can veto any trade because he’s been in the major leagues for 10 years and with the Orioles for five years.
Jones, who’ll be 33 on Wednesday, the day after the non-waiver trade deadline, is hitting .277 with 10 home runs and 38 RBIs — good numbers, but below those of the last seven seasons.
A five-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover in center field, Jones has hit at least 25 homers and driven in 70 runs each year since 2011.
On Tuesday, he was named winner of the Orioles’ “Heart and Hustle” award for the sixth time. It’s given out by former players, and it recognizes excellence on and off the field.
Jones has been extraordinarily involved in the community and has been recognized for it nationally.
“Take a good snapshot. Guys like him are hard to find,” manager Buck Showalter said.
“Adam’s not worried about getting participation awards. He’s not getting a ribbon for being on the team. This has been tough on him. He may not wear it on his sleeve, but it’s been tough on him.”
The question is: Do you think the Orioles should trade Jones to a contender if they can get value in return? Or, is he too important symbolically for the team to move him?
“When they think of Adam, they think of the Orioles,” Showalter said.
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The Colts let Unitas move late in his career, and the Orioles traded Frank Robinson and Eddie Murray, so no one is too important symbolically to be moved. But AJ10 does represent a very important element to the team and the community. I believe he has the class to have a candid conversation with management about what his desire is for next season. If he wants to test free agency, then the team should at least explore what he would bring on the market now as a rental. If he wants to stay in Baltimore, then re-sign him now rather than waiting for the offseason. If they can’t come to terms, then move him now and then reopen discussions after the season. I would love to see him stay and help bring along the next generation of young Orioles, but this decision, like all the others, must be viewed in cold business terms unclouded by emotion.
Bill-I don't believe that they'll look to extend him in the days before the trading deadline, but I think he's earned the right to be approached by them. for his feelings on a trade.
I think the only person that can answer this question is Adam Jones. I'd personally hate to see that man in another team's uniform. If I'm the GM, the ONLY way I trade that man is if it's what HE wants. He's earned it.
Agree 100%.
Personally, I hope he wants to stay. He’s the true heart of the team. He deserves a statue at OPCY.
Without the no trade clause I would trade him. At 33 history tells us his skills will deteriorate, he'll balk at the idea to play left or right. The O's and Adam have had a good run but if we're "rebuilding" then this is the time to get younger and faster.
It would be interesting to compare his potential return to those of Machado and Britton.
About a month ago I would have said--"everybody goes". Well as far as Jones goes there's an underlying intangible factor. His leadership,clubhouse,fan,appeal means a lot. Going forward the "common" fan may back off this team unless they have someone they look forward to seeing or cheering for. Jones's skills are no doubt waning and he could possibly be in the way on young progress. Tough call. Trade him,re-sign him for 2019(don't think he'll field a lot of offers)and let him be "PapaBird" to the youngsters.
Yes. Anybody on this team should be under consideration for a trade. Let's not kid ourselves this historically bad team will be a few years from contending and Jones will not be part of the next winning team in hopefully less than 14 years. He became who they said he would be with the Seattle trade but declining skills and a reluctance to move from center makes this necessary. Besides Eddie Murray has come back twice so could Jones but give him a chance for a ring.
Trade him to a contender for the last two month. He deserves the opportunity. If he wants to come back it will be up to him. The Os owe it to him. Great Oriole and great citizen.
I agree. This is the best approach. And if he comes back, it's as a corner outfielder.
NO
Hey Rich, if the diner doesn't work out consider opening Dubroff's Dive... a small dark hole in the wall bar with a few small flat screens, that serves pickled eggs and beer nuts. First beer is on me.
Thank you, Raymo. I'm not a drinker so I didn't think that the bar concept worked. Hopefully this one works better than the first four months of the 2018 Orioles. I like the sports bar concept, though.
Yes, trade him. I see it more as a reward for him to get a chance to play in a pennant race again for the next two and half months. He deserves to have that opportunity. Os can resign him in winter if they both agree to bring him back. But give him the chance now, and in the meantime the Orioles can add another prospect or two. Sounds like a win win situation. Orioles should be singularly focused on rebuilding this organization which has imploded. Sentimentality I think may have clouded some of their poor baseball decisions. Keep stockpiling the prospects now.
The only reason to keep him is if you extend his contract now. Otherwise the sentiment of him being important to the Orioles may be gone at the end of the year anyway. Therefore let’s get something for him.
Also it is clearly time for a new Orioles Way so it is time to refresh and get rid of Buck, DD, Coaches etc and if they really want to please the fans, sell the team
Free crab cakes? Wow, the tap room had nothing on this!
Jones is an Oriole. He also isn't going to have a strong demand for his services next season, and the best deal he could possibly get would be from the O's. If he's open to being moved this season to return a prospect or two - and they're not going to be top prospects anyhow, then trade him. Do I think he's a great leader for the team? Yes. Do I think he's somebody who belongs playing in the OF in the Major Leagues every day? No. That's kinda sad, and a little hard to reconcile, but I think it's time that the O's OF prospects get a chance to play every day.
Creatively, I knew the tap room was popular, so I needed a way to get you in.
I think your thoughts seem to be shared by many of your fellow readers.
If the Orioles receive a reasonable offer then you have make the trade. Since he can veto any trade it would obviously be a playoff contender where it would be a good fit for him. Jones has been a valuable member to this team and the Baltimore community. Regardless of what happens I would like to see the Orioles sign him in the off season.
Give him a chance for a ring by going to a contender, get a prospect or two in return, call up Mullins to play CF the rest of the year, re-sign Jones next year as a corner outfielder (hopefully Mullins would have a successful audition and that gives the Os the reason for making that move). Any real fan has to appreciate Jones' grind it out everyday approach, and that is worth something if next year's team has a bunch of young and inexperienced players, as seems very likely at this point.
Yes, Rich. Trade Adam Jones for whatever we can get, if he waives his no-trade clause. The odds are strongly against the O's being truly competitive during the remainder of the effective period of his career. We need to be younger, faster, fleeter and cheaper. I think we do him a greater service by moving him than not.
If he wants to come back to be a corner outfielder and/or inspirational leader during the reconnaissance, it can be discussed but probably still would not be ideal for he would road-block someone younger. Simply stated, it's time. Rebuilding, is rebuilding.
Ship him out. With Diaz, Hays, Mullins, Stewart and possibly Mountcastle if he can't play third, Jones is just in the way.
Speaking of Diaz... has anyone noticed that he’s hitting a magnificent .100 with two hits in 20 at bats. And... Stewart’s average at Norfolk is dropping like a rock? Just thought I’d mention it...
I think the time has come to trade Jones. AJ will always be one of my favorite Orioles and was the heart and soul of the team but were in a rebuild and he has lost a step in center field range wise. Also, I think we owe it to AJ to trade him to a competitive team so he can get that elusive WS ring. Much like when we traded B.J. Surhoff I will feel very sad due to how much he has meant to the Orioles and the community in a way that no Oriole has since Cal, but were in a rebuild and I don't see Jones as part of it.
Also, IMO we need to take a long look at Mullins. There's nothing left in Norfolk that he can do and we need to see what he can do.
OriolesFan1986, the team isn't sentimental, but Jones appeals to a more diverse part of the fan base than many other players.
I think Cedric Mullins' day is nearly here.
Of Course! Why would you not? Your not going to resign him before the end of the season. If you can get even one teams top 10-15 prospect do it! Everything I read is he is open to returning if traded. You want him back to play RF next year try to sign him.
degalt, your response is one I've seen from many readers, and I appreciate it you sharing it.
".... on-field play, leadership, tough mindset, show up every day, work mentality... " Something MM never had that Jones bleeds naturally. Jones is a TRUE Oriole and always will be.....
No way!!! Only if he wants to leave, but we all know he does not. He is the heart and soul of this team. His leadership and mentor ship is needed for the new talent that is to arrive. Can ownership afford even more empty seats? It will happen. The current coaches need to go as well as GM. Let Brady take over. Also need to hire all new scouts. Looking at our farm system and lack of talent reflection of their poor drafting. Need to bring scouts' in from Yank,'s Astro's, or Braves.
Agree 100% , OsGirl. Adam Jones is the face of the franchise and should be afforded the opportunity to finish his career in Orange and Black. He had a down year (by Adam Jones' standards), but he is still capable of generating 20 home runs and 80 rbi. His defensive metrics are down and it's time to promote Cedric Mullins and move AJ to left field.
What no one is publicly saying: the Orioles need all the help they can get in drawing greater African-American TV viewers and attendance at Camden Yards. Beckham/Mullins/Jones in the lineup is a start.
Adam Jones is the nucleus of the Oriole clubhouse, younger players need him as a team mentor, not only to the organization , but the Baltimore community and programs he has championed toward youth. In Adams' particular case, is the front office ambivalent toward the community which they reside?