Cubs acquire Jacque Jones--Corey Patterson demoted to bench

[riverside sluggers]

Cubs, Jones agree to three-year deal

Expected to start in right field, move Patterson to bench

By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

 

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs may have finally completed their outfield. The Cubs announced Tuesday they have signed free agent Jacque Jones to a three-year, $16 million deal. Jones could fill the vacant right field spot and join new center fielder Juan Pierre, acquired in a trade from Florida, and rookie left fielder Matt Murton.

 

Jones, 30, batted .249, hit 23 home runs and 22 doubles and drove in 73 runs in 142 games in 2005 for the Minnesota Twins. His average slipped after mid-August because he was bothered by a strained oblique. He also struck out 120 times, and has fanned at least 100 times in five of his last six seasons. The left-handed Jones is a career .279 hitter and has played solely for the Twins. Minnesota did offer Jones arbitration, and by doing so will receive a compensation draft pick from the Cubs. Jeromy Burnitz patrolled right field for the Cubs in 2005, the first year without Sammy Sosa since 1992. Burnitz batted .258 with 24 homers and 87 RBIs in 160 games and the team decided not to pick up his 2006 option of $7 million.

 

Jones is the fourth free agent signed by the Cubs this offseason. So far, general manager Jim Hendry has added relievers Scott Eyre and Bob Howry, and outfielder John Mabry, and traded for Pierre. The next issue for Hendry to deal with is what to do with outfielder Corey Patterson, who was being considered for right field. Patterson hit a disappointing .215 in 2005, and was demoted to Triple-A Iowa at the All-Star break to try to get back on track. A No. 1 draft pick in 1998, Patterson could stay with the Cubs and sub for Pierre or Jones, or he could be traded. Patterson is arbitration eligible, and the Cubs tendered him a contract on Tuesday.

[26 to 6]

Good move, I think Jones was pretty underrated in Minnesota playing behind Hunter and Shannon Stewart.

[riverside sluggers]

i think this sets in motion Patterson's departure. Who knows? He could be more successful calling a new park his home.

[26 to 6]

i think this sets in motion Patterson's departure. Who knows? He could be more successful calling a new park his home.

I wouldnt mind taking Patterson. He and Crosby could keep it hot for Melky.