Update 8:11 PM ET: It's a one-year deal worth $6.15 million that has another $50K Jones can earn through performance bonuses, Connolly adds. If Jones can trigger in the $50K, the two sides essentially agreed to the mid-point in their arbitration differences.
Original: The Baltimore Orioles and outfielder Adam Jones have agreed to terms on a deal thus successfully avoiding salary arbitration, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The two sides had been $2.4 million apart, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Jones had been seeking $7.4 million, but the Orioles offered only $5 million.
Adam Jones was the only arbitration eligible Oriole that remained unsigned. By reaching an agreement before their hearing date, previously scheduled for this Friday, the two sides won't need to explain their case in front of the third-party salary arbitration panel.
Jones, 26, hit .280/.319/.466 with a career high 25 home runs in 618 plate appearances last season with the Orioles. Though he's set to hit free agency after the 2013 season, it wouldn't surprise me if the Orioles sign Jones to a long-term deal or perhaps even trade him.