Orioles Ink Adam Jones to Six Year Deal

The Orioles have a press conference scheduled for Sunday to announce a new deal for center fielder Adam Jones. The deal will pay Jones $85.5 million over six years. This is the largest contract in Orioles history and it makes Adam the second highest paid centerfielder in the game.

This move was a must for a team seemingly on the verge of playoff contention and I applaud the Orioles organization for getting this deal done. Jones is the heart and soul of this franchise and locking him up long term means they are serious about building a winner.

I fully expected Adam Jones to test the free agent market after the 2013 season and I really wouldn't have blamed him. He's a budding superstar that is improving year after year. Plus, he brings a swagger to the Orioles that they haven't had in a very long time. He makes it cool to be an O's fan. We here at IHJJR appreciate all he's done for this city, on and off the field. He's one of the few baseball players that hustles on every play and this year in general he's become very clutch at the plate.

Now that Jonesy is locked up the front office can tun their focus to Matt Weiters, although he isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season. Jones and Weiters provide a young nucleus of players that free agents looking for a new home in the offseason will definitely be intrigued by.

 With the O's being in 1st place and their best player signed to a long term deal, not to mention two of the best prospects in baseball waiting in the wings, it's a very excited time to be a baseball fan in Charm City.