[bigboydan]

I'm stunned that the Dodgers would pay 36 million for Jones after that horrible season he had this year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- All-Star center fielder Andruw Jones and the Los Angeles Dodgers reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a $36.2 million, two-year contract.

Jones, the former Atlanta star who has won 10 straight Gold Gloves, must pass a physical for the agreement to be completed, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

Jones will receive a $12.2 million signing bonus, of which $5.1 million is payable next year, $2.1 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. He well get salaries of $9 million next year and $15 million in 2009, and also will receive a no-trade clause.

His agreement with the Dodgers was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site.

Scott Boras, his agent, wouldn't confirm the agreement but sounded as if a deal had fallen into place.

"Being on a competitive team was a very, very important part of his process," he said.

Jones hit .222 this season, his lowest average since he batted .217 in 106 at-bats as a rookie in 1996. His 26 home runs were his fewest since 1997.

Had Jones finished with big numbers, he likely would have sought a longer-term agreement. Boras said there were really only two options when it came to length.

"Very, very long-term or very, very short term," he said. "Nothing in between."

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti did not immediately return an e-mail seeking comment.

Adding Jones was the first major move for Los Angeles since Joe Torre replaced Grady Little as manager on Nov. 1. Jones will get a chance to work with Don Mattingly, who followed Torre to the Dodgers and became hitting coach.

Juan Pierre, who had been in center field, will switch to one of the corners, displacing Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp.

[Rollins08]

A lot of money but for two years I don't think its that bad. I think it was a bad move for him. He should have taken a little less for a 5-6 year contract. Its a bad hitters park and I doubt his HR totals will keep up. At the end of 2 years nobody will pay 15 mill for a .250 hitter with 35 HR's.

[Travis]

I really don't think Jones will hit as poorly as he did last year. Besides, the park he is commimg from is probably less than a hitters park than Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers also had no power last year so trade a few points or 20 in batting average for some bombs.

[etothep]

think the money is better spent on this jones contract than the contract they gave juan pierre

[Travis]

think the money is better spent on this jones contract than the contract they gave juan pierre

They might have paid a little too much but Pierre's production was his usual. Besides, you are always gonna pay for a guy who hits over 300 for his career and averages about 60 sb each year.