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First-place O's Set to Reward Jones with Record Contract
The Baltimore Orioles are nearing a long-term extension with center fielder Adam Jones, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports:
BREAKING: Sources tell me and @jonmorosi that #Orioles are close to signing Adam Jones to a long-term extension.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 25, 2012
Per several tweets from Rosenthal, Jones completed a physical yesterday and now the two sides are hammering out the final details of the contract. According to his sources, the deal is "well north" of Miguel Tejeda's six-year, $72 million free agent deal and Nick Markakis' six-year, $66 million extension.
He's earning $6.15 million this season as a second time arbitration eligible player, and any extension would buy out the rest of his arbitration eligibility -- as well as making him the highest paid player in Orioles history.
Jones, 26, is hitting .311/.357/.601 on the season, something of a breakout from his career .278/.322/.449.