From the Associated Press, via NBCSports.com, comes word that free agent outfielder Andruw Jones has finalized a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Rakuten Eagles of Japan’s Pacific League. The deal was agreed to over a week ago but is just now being officially announced by the Japanese team.
Jones batted .197/.294/.408 with 14 home runs and 34 RBI in 94 games this past season for the Yankees. He probably could have found at least one major league team willing to offer him a one-year pact, but he has better earning power over in Japan at this point.
It’s not clear whether the 35-year-old plans to return to Major League Baseball after his stint overseas.
Jones, the winner of 10 straight Gold Gloves from 1998-2007 and a five-time National League All-Star, owns a .254/.337/.486 career batting line.