Killswitch

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Washington Nationals are heavily motivated to go after free-agent center fielder Andruw Jones. However, they won't overpay for the perennial gold glover. Rosenthal believes the team wouldn't fork over $16 million for Jones but would "jump" at him if there were a bargain available.

"Nationals team president Stan Kasten says he opposes adding a premium free agent to a rebuilding club, and some in the industry doubt that he could strike a deal for Jones with agent Scott Boras. Kasten, however, recently visited Jones at his Atlanta home, according to the Washington Post.

The reality is, the Nats should be motivated to make a splash. They open a new ballpark next season. They badly need a slugger, not to mention star power. And Jones, 30, still would be in his prime if the team became more competitive in two or three years."

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