MVN: Most Valuable Network

With word that the Los Angeles Dodgers have restructured outfielder Andruw Jones' contract to an affordable $5 million deal (with the rest of the $15 million deferred over the next six years without interest) and a pledge by the Dodgers to release or trade Jones so he can land with a new team, which teams seem like fits for Jones?

There are a couple criteria that need to be met to fit for Jones. One is that Jones is primarily a centerfielder, although we won't let that play too much into our fits -- outfielders, centerfielders most notably, tend to move around the outfield corners more often than infielders do.

Secondly, Jones has expressed a desire to start and will control his fate if he is released. Only through the trade market would a team be able to secure him as a fourth outfielder if they promised to give him ample playing time.

What teams could we see Jones land on in 2009?

Let's run through the options.

New York Yankees

The Yankees have a glut of corner outfielders and unprovens in center field. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Yankees brought in Jones to compete with Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner for the centerfield job. If he gets it and produces, the Yankees have a find on their hands. If he falls flat on his face... well, they have options.

WHY THEY WOULDN'T DO IT:  They're already looking to move an outfielder, not add another one. Or could there be a fit in the trade route with Jones and a prospect heading to New York for one of their corner outfielders?

Boston Red Sox
 
A three-part series ran at Fire Brand of the American League this past week that discussed three options for a fourth outfielder. In Boston, a fourth outfielder is more like 3.5 -- Coco Crisp got over 400 at-bats last year serving as the fourth outfielder. The Sox are very liberal about sitting J.D. Drew at any hint of injury to keep him healthy (which has mostly worked) and has the DH position as a backup as well. Jones could see 300-400 at-bats in this role.

WHY THEY WOULDN'T DO IT:  Jones wants to start and the Sox would much rather get someone less risky to log that many at-bats. There's too much risk here to chance Jones being unhappy in his role.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have the salary and the need to hope they can catch lightning in a bottle with Jones.  They could guarantee Jones a full-time starting slot at DH assuming he produces. The Angels have turned their attention to shoring up their pitching, hoping that that will hide their offensive deficiencies, but their offense is far too concerning to not address in some form.

WHY THEY WOULDN'T DO IT:  It would put Gary Matthews Jr. into a full-fledged bench role, which they don't seem willing to do. The power upgrade would have to come elsewhere, and to justify the benching of Matthews, a more consistent performer like Jason Giambi or Bobby Abreu.

Atlanta Braves

A homecoming could be in order as the Braves are seeking a bat in both left and centerfield. Bringing Jones in would fill one of these holes cheaply. An outfield of Brandon Jones, Gregor Blanco and Jeff Francouer is not playoff caliber. Not saying that Jones is any better, but remember, this guy was one of the premier home run hitters in his prime and he's not exactly on the cusp of 40. Any team picking him up is going to do so on a flier to see if he can get back to what he was.

WHY THEY WOULDN'T DO IT:  They let Jones walk for a reason.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are reportedly on the verge of signing Milton Bradley to be the right-handed power hitter they so desperately need. But what if Bradley slips through their grasp?  What then? Alfonso Soriano is entrenched at left; Derrek Lee is at first so Adam Dunn doesn't make sense. Pat Burrell doesn't make sense. Without Bradley, their options become slim, especially since Mark DeRosa has been traded to the Cleveland Indians.

WHY THEY WOULDN'T DO IT: They want to win the World Series and can't afford a question mark in the outfield. They'd rather get Bobby Abreu should Bradley not sign.

New York Mets

They need a left-fielder, don't they? Fernando Tatis, Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans could end up as fine players, but does a team with a division title in their sights really want to be going into 2009 with a mix-and-match situation in left? If they want a mix-and-match situation going, what better than to throw Jones into the mix?

WHY THEY WOULDN'T DO IT:  All indications are they are extremely comfortable with the Tatis/Murphy/Evans mix and do not want to address the position.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are one of very few teams that would be willing to hand Jones a starting job right out of spring training. Why? Well, they don't exactly have any studs working the corners. I'm a fan of Brandon Moss (Think he can be a .280 average, 20 home run type player) but in left you have the likes of Steve Pearce and Nyjer Morgan. Put Jones in there. If he pans out, you trade him for a nice return at the deadline. If not... it's not like you lost anything.

WHY THEY WOULDN'T DO IT:  The youth movement.

Texas Rangers

Well, they need someone to replace Milton Bradley at DH, don't they? Jones would join a competing team in Texas and with the heat down there would find the Ballpark at Arlington (can't remember their new corporate name for the park off the top of my head) more conducive to hitting home runs than Chavez Ravine, for sure.

WHY THEY WOULDN'T DO IT: Bringing in Jones would likely mean that Nelson Cruz would not get his long-awaited longterm shot in right field, and the Rangers seem intent on giving Cruz that chance.

Chicago White Sox

Their upcoming centerfielders for the season are Jerry Owens and Brian Anderson. "Who?" you ask. Exactly. With the lauching pad at The Cell, this could be another opportunity similar to Texas for Jones to revive his career.

WHY THEY WOULDN'T DO IT:  Kenny Williams wants to get younger and faster. They've spoken about trading Jermaine Dye and Owens/Anderson has been on his radar for a while to get a job.

Most Likely Destination

This is by no means a prediction, but when you try to marry the amount of at-bats Jones would get (his preference) with a need in the outfield, I'm seeing the Los Angeles Angels as Jones' new home.