I know, it’s ironic that, after blasting Boston fans for hanging on Manny Ramirez’s every move, I am about to post about Andruw Jones.  Of four blog entries, two have been about this guy… and my complaint are largely the same as theirs: He quit on the team.

That said, there is a huge difference.  Manny helped to deliver two World Series championships, breaking an 86-year drought for Boston.  Andruw, on the other hand, stole from us.

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com recently reported that Jones, who is unlikely to make the Rangers’ roster despite going .258/.324/.419 this spring, has a decision to make: Accept an assignment to the minor leagues (likely AAA Oklahoma City) or opt out for free agency.

Jones has certainly shown that he’s worthy of a look by a major league team, especially one weak in the outfield.  His price is sure to be low, too, as the Dodgers are paying him more money than I will ever make in my life, and they’re paying it for him to play somewhere else. 

When asked whether he would stay with the team that took a chance on him when no one else will – and when he’d proven that he was probably not worth it – or leave for free agency, he replied, “I don’t know yet. Scott said he’ll call me tomorrow. I can’t say anything
right now. Ask me tomorrow and I’ll have a definite answer for you.”

The Scott in question is Scott Boras.

Andruw Jones has let a lot of people down in his lifetime, and I have absolutely no doubt that he’ll continue to let a lot of people down.  The way to win your way back into public favor, I think it’s safe to say, is not by consulting with Scott Freaking Boras!

If you learn anything from your time in Los Angeles, let it be this: Handlers, especially particularly infamous ones like Boras, do not have your ultimate best interests at heart.  They have their best interests at heart.  I know, he talks fancy and tells you you’re pretty and holds your hand when nobody else will.

But he’s bad for you, Andy.  He’s not your friend; he’s your agent.  Make your decision from your heart.  Don’t let your agent make up your mind for you.  Here in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, there’s sort of an unofficial credo: You don’t work for your agent.  Your agent works for you.