One player on this year's free agent market was a 5-time All Star, a 10-time gold glove winner, averaging 33 HR and 100 RBI's for every 162 games. He has swiped fewer bags in the past few years, he has 5 seasons with double digit stolen bases, 10 seasons with 24 or more doubles, and drew comparisons to Willie Mays when he was younger. He was only the 10th player in MLB history to hit 300 HR's before the age of 30. Despite all of that, there was very little interest in him among MLB teams. So little, in fact, that he ended up having to sign a minor league contract just to get his foot back in the door.

On Sunday, Andruw Jones agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers that could end up being worth about $1.5M, if he reaches the big leagues and earns his potential incentive bonuses. Considering the Dodgers owe him $22.1 from his previous contract, it hardly matters anyway. He'll receive that money over the course of the next 6 years, and if he earns too much more on top of that should be considered fortunate.

Jones showed up to spring training with the Dodgers out of shape, and clearly not ready for baseball. It showed in his performance, as he struggled mightily at the plate, batting .158 in 209 AB's in 2008. He had to have knee surgery, and the Dodgers eventually cut him after their attempts to trade him all fell through due to lack of interest.

For the Rangers, this is a win-win situation. Despite the fact that Jones was so terrible this year that he even got cut from his winter league team, there is talent there somewhere. For less than $500,000 guaranteed, the Rangers can afford to take a gamble on someone like Jones, who, if properly motivated again, could give them a gold glove caliber fielder and a power threat at the plate. This was a solid move by Texas, and is extremely low risk for a potentially astronomical reward.

However, I don't think that reward will come. There really aren't a whole lot of signs that point to Jones having a career resurrection and suddenly becoming the player that he was with the Braves. He's clearly let himself go, lacks the discipline and work ethic it takes to maintain greatness, and he has enough money to hold him over no matter how well he does. Could he end up plowing through the minor leagues and making it to the Rangers early in 2008? Sure. But the chances are just as high that he will fail in the minors and end up out of baseball by August.

For the Rangers, that's a risk they're willing to take, and that's a solid move by them. At the worst, they're out $500k. At best, they have Andruw Jones at 100% for pennies on the dollar. Does anyone think this WASN'T a great move by the Rangers? Anyone agree that it's a great move? Is anyone completely indifferent? Feel free to let it rip in the comments, either way.