2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Orioles Turn Down Braves Offer for Adam Jones

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Atlanta Braves made a run at Orioles center fielder Adam Jones earlier this offseason.  In exchange for Jones, the Braves were offering the Orioles a package built around Jair Jurrjens and Martin Prado.

At first the Braves offer only included Prado and Jurrjens, though Atlanta eventually included an unknown pitching prospect to the proposal.  Still, Baltimore wasn’t overwhelmed by the offer, as many speculate they will need to be in order to trade Jones this winter.

Connolly believes that, unless the Orioles are able to get a front-line starter in return, Jones will not be traded this offseason.

While Jurrjens began last season looking like one of the best pitchers in baseball, he slowed down as the year progressed.  Jurrjens is only 25-year-old, but he doesn’t seem to qualify as the front-line starter Baltimore covets.

Jones is one of the few trade chips Baltimore has that figures to bring in significant return.  Though they are continuing through a rebuilding process, the Orioles have said that they would like to keep Jones in the fold.  Rumors have swirled around the talented 26-year-old, but the Orioles would likely have to be blown away by an offer if they are to move him this winter.

Last season for the Orioles, Jones hit at a clip of .280/.319/.466 with 26 doubles, 25 home runs and 83 RBI’s over his 151 games played.

For more on the Orioles and Braves, be sure to check out Birds Watcher and Tomahawk Take.