Minnesota OF Jones ready to try free agency

Deron Snyder
Fort Myers News Press

Jacque Jones has spent his entire career in Minnesota's system, seemingly on his way elsewhere half of his time with the Twins.

He wasn't expected back this season. Nor last season. He's not expected back next season. What else is new?

"Of course it hurts," said Jones, who signed a one-year contract in December and will become a free agent afterward.

"You see different guys getting taken care of with multi-year deals," he said. "I don't think I've done anything to not deserve that. But for whatever reason, I've never been in that situation."

He signed, uncertain that he'd be offered arbitration. Minnesota might've released Jones, unable to resist the savings of Lew Ford/Jason Kubel in right field for way less than his $5 million. The fact that Kubel suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Arizona Fall League didn't hurt Jones' cause.

But he was flabbergasted at the thought of being cut loose.

"I went from having a decent year to almost being non-tendered," said Jones, who hit 24 home runs and had 80 RBI last season.

"Outside of hitting .254, everything else was where it was supposed to be."

A career .284 hitter since his major-league debut in 1999, Jones averaged 22 homers and 78 RBI for the past three seasons. That, along with his ability to play each outfield position, made him the subject of persistent trade rumors during that span.

He said the constant speculation and lack of commitment has de-sensitized him as he approaches what's likely his final season — for real this time — in Minnesota.

"Now I'm just kind of numb to it," said Jones, 29. "I just go out and play.

"I feel like I've been playing year-to-year since I've been here."

The Twins emit warm-and-fuzzies by having so many homegrown players, about as close as a club gets in creating a family atmosphere.

But it's still business, and general manager Terry Ryan can't accommodate every player, even if he wants to.

"Anybody would like to have security and longevity," Ryan said. "Everyone desires to be on multi-year contracts. That's understandable. But it's not realistic.

"I've always said that regardless of what players do contractually, if they go out and do anything, they're going to be fine.

"If it's not here, somebody in the game is going to be interested in them," Ryan said.

Jones opted for the comfort and competitiveness of Minnesota instead of the uncertainty had he been freed to sign with any team this spring. The options might've been limited to a losing club, or a team set in the outfield but looking for insurance.

He'll wait until winter, when he figures to have more choices and more leverage.

"People play this game for stability and they play for free agency," Jones said. "I've had stability. Now I'm going to be a free agent. I'm in a good position here.

"I'm not going to be a distraction or a nuisance. I just want to go out and play."

And then find a team that wants him.