Adam Jones may be getting a lot wealthier very soon, wealthier than any Oriole ever has.
FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi report that the Baltimore Orioles are close to agreeing to a new contract with their star centerfielder. Rosenthal sent out several messages on Twitter indicating that a deal was close to completion.
According to the report, the Orioles will be giving Jones the largest contract in club history. It is expected to be "well north" of the six-year, $72 million deal signed by Miguel Tejada before the 2004 season.
Jones would become a free agent after next season if a new deal is not signed. It is clear however, that the Orioles want to keep their prized outfielder, and for good reason. The 26-year-old is currently the team's best hitter. He leads the club in three major categories with a .311 batting average, 14 home runs and 29 RBIs.
Jones was a first-round draft pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2003. He was the centerpiece of a trade that sent a group of players from the Mariners to Baltimore in exchange for pitcher Erik Bedard prior to the 2008 season. He was selected to his first All-Star game in 2009 at the age of 23.
The Orioles believe the making of a winning club with several top young players including Jones, leftfielder Nick Markakis and catcher Matt Wieters. Although they were not expected to do well this season, the Orioles currently sit atop the highly competitive AL East and sport the American League's best record at 28-17.
