It didn’t take Garrett Jones long to find work after being released by the Pirates. The 32 year old Jones has reached an agreement with the Florida Marlins on a reported two year deal worth $7.5 million. Jones had a down year in 2013, batting .233 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI in 144 games. The down season came a year after hitting a career-high 27 home runs and driving in 86 runs in 2012. Jones lost his job to Justin Morneau who signed this week with the Colorado Rockies. The acquisition of Jones has the Marlins planning to trade first baseman Logan Morrison at next weeks Winter Meetings.
Garrett Jones
Garrett Jones snaps out of 0-19 stretch
Garrett Jones (.239 – 12 HR – 43 RBI) came into Thursday night’s game 0 for his last 19 but snapped his hitless streak with a solo home run in the second inning off Matt Cain. Jones went 1-3 with a home run, walk and 2 runs scored in the win. Jones is batting .200 since the All-Star break but his power numbers have been up some since the break with 4 home runs in 90 at-bats, compared to 8 home runs in 265 at-bats prior to the break.
Morning Pirates Buzz: Pressure is on Garrett Jones to get back to 2012 level
MORNING PIRATES BUZZ *The Pittsburgh Pirates (56-38) coming out of the All-Star break, suffered a 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds (54-42) on Friday night. Francisco Liriano (9-4, 2.44 ERA) allowed 5 hits and 5 earned runs in 4.1 innings. The Reds sent nine batters to the plate for four runs in the fifth off Liriano, who had his shortest outing of the season. Clint Hurdle attributed Lirano’s rough start to having nine days off. A.J. Burnett takes the mound today and Jeff Locke is scheduled to start Sunday and hasn’t pitched since July 8th. *The Pirates go into this afternoon’s game with a 56-38 record, trailing the St. Louis Cardinals (58-36) by two games for the NL Central. The Cardinals have an MLB best +130 run differential, what a number there. The Pirates are at +44. The Pirates have a three game lead over the Reds for the top wildcardRead More »
MLB: Pirates, Red Sox talking trade again?
GM Neal Huntington wants to open the season with Garrett Jones on his ball club, but following the Francisco Liriano signing that will become official when Liriano passes his physical, Huntington has pressure on him from Team President Frank Coonelly to shed some salary and keep the payroll no higher than $70 million, sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports.com.
Decisions for 2012: Garrett Jones hoping a strong September will force Pirates to offer him arbitration
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Steelers to avoid Hard Knocks?
The Pittsburgh Steelers seemed destined to be on Hard Knocks this summer but not so fast. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports if there are training camps, Hard Knocks will consist of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams.