As it turns out the Marlins aren't quite sure what they are going to do with Jacque Jones .

The Marlins did not tell Jacque Jones if he would be used a lot in center field, and manager Fredi Gonzalez was non-committal Tuesday. But a Jones/ Cody Ross platoon would make sense because Jones is a career .291 hitter vs. right-handers (and .232 vs. lefties).

First off, it is not clear to me that Jones can play center in the vast lawn in JRS.  In fact, I keep hearing that he is poorly suited for the job.  But I guess, no one knows before he gives it a try.

Fredi had this to say :

Nobody knows yet how newly acquired outfielder Jacque Jones will fit in with the Marlins.

But one thing's for sure.

 

"As long as he's got a uniform, he's playing," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Last time I checked Brett Carroll had a uniform and I hear tale that Robert Andino does too, though I haven't seen Andino in quite sometime.  Wearing a Marlins uniform doesn't necessarily equate to playing time.  Or at least it hasn't for Carroll and Andino.

The main thing I worry about is that Jones becomes "our guy".  If you are unfamiliar with the reference, Jorge Julio was once "our guy".  Jones may turnout to be greatest acquisition ever.  And I hope he is, but if not, we don't need someone trying to patrol the Bermuda Triangle who is ill equipped to do so.

Once again, the Marlins can hit and to steal a quote from the Texas Rangers manager, Ron Washington, and I paraphrase: We knew before the season we could hit.  We have the offense to win the World Series but how high we will finish will be determined by pitching and defense.

The same is true for the Marlins.

I will say this about Carroll and Andino, they're handling the news of the acquisition well .

"We've been joking with each other," Carroll said. "We were playing paper-rock-scissors to see who's going to be here...."

If the Marlins aren't going to play them anymore than they have, I wish they would send both of them down.  Yes, it would be pay cut, but they are rotting on the bench.  The two should be playing, somewhere, at this point in their careers.

If Jones doesn't turn into "our guy" and can't do the job and ends up being bench ridden, then fine.  He will probably be a better pinch hitter than either Carroll or Andino.  Seasoned veterans tend to be better at the pinch hitting thing.

As Mbaamin reported in the comments yesterday, it has become official -- Jacque Jones is now a member of the Marlins organization .

On Monday, the team made official what was reported for days. Jones has come to terms on a Minor League contract with the Marlins.

A left-handed hitter, Jones has reported to Jupiter, Fla., where he will get some game experience before he joins the Marlins.

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When he joins the Marlins, Jones likely will platoon in center field with Cody Ross.

Assuming he can still play center effectively.

Maybe it will turnout to be a great signing on the part of the club.  But I will state one more time: the offense isn't the problem, it's the pitching and defense that needs improvement.

Nonetheless, welcome aboard Jacque.

Jacque Jones as reached an agreement with the Florida Marlins, or at least, that is what Ken Rosenthal is reporting  .

Securing additional bench help, the Marlins have reached agreement with free-agent outfielder Jacque Jones, according to major-league sources.

Jones, 33, initially will report to extended spring training in Florida to get back into playing shape, then return to the majors as a fourth outfielder and left-handed pinch-hitter.

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Once Jones is ready to join the Marlins, he likely will take the roster spot of outfielder Brett Carroll, adding to a bench that generally includes infielder Wes Helms and outfielder Cody Ross from the right side.

Jones, like Ross, plays all three outfield positions. Josh Willingham, the Marlins' regular left fielder, has been on the disabled list since April 27 with a lower-back injury. He is not expected to return soon, and Luis Gonzalez will continue serving as his replacement in left.

So he is going to take over Carroll's spot rotting on the bench.  Actually this isn't a bad deal, if true, Carroll needs to be playing somewhere.

The Miami Herald backs up Rosenthal's story, somewhat .

Jacque Jones reportedly will be playing center field soon for the Marlins. According to a major-league source, the Marlins are about to sign Jones, who was released by the Detroit Tigers earlier this season. The Marlins are expected to make an announcement in the next 48 hours.

The Marlins have been using the platoon of Cody Ross and Alfredo Amezaga in center field, but the addition of Jones means Amezaga will go back to his role as the team's utility infielder, and Ross will be the fourth outfielder.

From what I hear, Jones' days as a center fielder have long past him by.  But really who knows.  The problem with Alfredo playing so often in center is that he wears down as the season goes along.  Amezaga is an all-out effort guy, which leads to spectacular catches in center and sometimes very impressive bunt hits at the plate.  But Alfredo isn't an outfielder by trade, though, as everything in the field, he does it well.  But it has a cost at the plate.

Do I think Jones is the answer?  No.  But maybe he is.  For the time being, I like Cody in center, another all-out guy, and I want to see what Carroll can do.  The Carroll thing ain't going to happen which the club as shown over and over.

Giving Jones a chance doesn't bother me, but it will bother me if the management becomes married to the idea and he is sent out day after day when he has proven he can't play center in JRS.  But hopefully, that won't be the case.

Jacque Jones is now a free agent and is available .

Former Tigers outfielder Jacque Jones cleared waivers Thursday morning and could be a Marlin as soon as today, according an industry source who has spoken with club officials.

Damon Lapa, Jones' agent, would not confirm the Marlins' interest or name any other teams that had initiated discussions. He did say his client hoped to narrow the field to a couple of finalists in the next day or two.

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In this case money isn't a factor. With the Tigers on the hook for the remainder of his $5.5 million 2008 salary, whichever team signs Jones would pay him the prorated major league minimum, roughly $268,000.

I'm still not sure what Jones will add, he is not hitting and isn't suited to play center at JRS.  Also, the 40-man roster is full and I think we are running out of guys to place on the 60-man DL.

The only upside I see, is that if he joins the team either Andino or Carroll will be sent down and he can take their spot rotting on the bench.  He is veteran so he would probably be better at that pinch-hitting thing.

As Jrsyeagle mentioned in the comments last night, the Marlins may be interested in Jacque Jones .

Cut loose by the Tigers on Monday, veteran outfielder Jacque Jones has attracted some interest from around the league.

A source confirmed on Tuesday that the Marlins have inquired about the 33-year-old.

Jones was designated for assignment on Monday. If the Marlins move in quickly on the outfielder, a deal could be worked out in the next day or two.

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The Marlins have told the South Florida media that they have no comment regarding Jones.

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Jones got off to a slow start with the Tigers, appearing in 24 games while batting .165 (13-for-79) with one home run, one triple, two doubles and five RBIs.

 

Slow start?  You think?

He can play all three outfield spots, and he is a candidate to lead off.

That's not the story I'm hearing around the campfire .

The Marlins are again discussing pursuing Jones (.285 for the Cubs last year), though some internally believe he is more of a left fielder than a center fielder at this stage of his career.

Left fielder?  He have one of those, granted he is on the DL but hopefully not for long.

Let's say Jones can play center, just for the sake of argument, and taking into account that I may be the only Marlins fan on the planet who isn't that concerned about center field at the moment. I can't see what he adds.  Well, other than it will allow the club to send Carroll down to the minors where he can play everyday and I guess also, it will give Gonzo someone to talk to on the bench once Willingham returns.

But getting back to the center field thing, it is doubtful he will be able to patrol the Bermuda Triangle as well as Alfredo or even Cody.  And the way he started out hitting this season, it will be hard to justify a spot for him in the lineup based on his bat alone.

Jones is on the backside of his career and I don't think he will add much, but then again, if someone needs to rot on the bench, I guess he will be as good as anyone.  That is assuming the Marlins don't have to pay next to any of his $3 million salary.  (Note: Jones is being paid $5 million for this season, but the Cubs are on the hook for $2 million of it.)

But if it were up to me, I would pass.