Jones clears trade waivers
Door opened for potential August deal for O’s outfielder
Orioles outfielder Adam Jones has cleared trade waivers, according to an industry source, meaning the club has officially made him available to potential trade suitors again.
The Orioles’ ability to trade Jones still remains in the outfielder’s hands because of his service time veto rights.
Running players through trade waivers in August is a common practice and is necessary to precipitate a deal after the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. But it doesn’t mean a player will be traded — only that he’s available to be dealt.
Even t hough much attention is placed on the nonwaiver deadline at the end of July, contending teams can still deal for players in August. A player must be on a team’s major league roster by the end of August to be eligible for the postseason.
While it leaves open the possibility of trading Jones, the Orioles’ longest-tenured player, he still must agree to any trade because he has 10-and-5 rights — 10 years of major league service time with at least five straight seasons playing for the same club.
Leading up to last month’s nonwaiver deadline, the Orioles were working on trading Jones, 33, to the Philadelphia Phillies, but he did not give consent to be traded there.
The night the deadline passed, Jones left the door open for approving an August trade.
“I’m going to weigh every option I have, just like I did this time,” Jones said July 31. “There’s still another month in the waiver Tonight, 7:10 TV: MASN Radio: 105.7 FM
relief for their rebuild, Jones life-threatening bacterial infecwire and that kind of stuff, so you providing mentorship to Mullins tion, which leaves the Indians, never know. But it’s my decision. I is something the Orioles value who open a three-game home appreciate everybody with their looking toward the future. series against the Orioles on Fritwo cents. I didn’t ask for it. But I The Orioles still have about $4 day, again seeking outfield depth. greatly appreciate everybody with million left to pay Jones for the Jones has played11seasons with how they think Adam Jones remainder of the season, money the Orioles since being acquired should do his career.” that could be allocated elsewhere. from the Seattle Mariners in a
Since then, Jones has embraced The trade market remains fluid trade for left-hander Erik Bedard a position switch from center after the nonwaiver deadline. in 2008. field, where he’s been the Orioles While the Phillies emerged as the He is a five-time All-Star and starter since joining the club in frontrunner for Jones in the days four-time Gold Glove Award winner.2008,torightfieldtoallowleadinguptothetradedeadline, prospect Cedric Mullins to be the Orioles were also long enHe’s batting .285/.317/.438 with groomed in center over the seagaged with the Cleveland Indians 31 doubles, 13 home runs and 49 son’s final seven weeks. While the regarding Jones. Cleveland, which RBIs in 114 games. Over his past 23 Orioles would still be open to has suffered a litany of injuries to games, Jones has a .341/.398/.518 moving Jones — their final reits outfielders, traded for outslash line. maining pending free agent — to fielder Leonys Martin at the deadrecoup a prospect or financial line. But he is sidelined with a