Desipio Message Board

Jock Jones.

Your new right fielder.

Three years, $16 million.

Fuck.

Guess I picked the wrong week to quit doing amphetamines.

(http://www.fatwillie.net/cpg/albums/userpics/10011/whoop-dee-do.JPG)

So this is it?

1) Pierre
2) Walker/Perez
3) Lee
4) Aramis
5) Jones
6) Murton
7) Barrett
8) Perez/Cedeno

What a bunch of crap.  Anyone think the Cubs score 730 runs this year?

I can't say that I'm disappointed.  I really didn't expect Hendry to step up here.  He can now feel free to go away with Dusty ASAP.

Quote from: Brian on December 20, 2005, 07:11:23 PM
So this is it?

1) Pierre
2) Walker/Perez
3) Lee
4) Aramis
5) Jones
6) Murton
7) Barrett
8) Perez/Cedeno

What a bunch of crap.  Anyone think the Cubs score 730 runs this year?

Nope.

Andy, time to revise one of the slogans...maybe we CAN be lousy forever

Donuts was just on Sports Central where Kaplan--as per usual-- threw softballs.

Jim said "we're very happy" with Jones, saying that  Kenny Rogers look-alike Gary Hughes scouted him and thinks they can get him to produce.

Ugh.

When Kaplan asked where he envisioned Jones in the lineup, Hendry deflected the question by just spewing random non-sequiters. 

"Well of course, we've got Juan at leadoff.  And Neifi.  And John Mabry who'd be a bat off the bench.  We needed to get another left-handed bat."

What?

I'm wondering why he said Neifi after Lucky Peter, and then somehow morphed into talking about the bench.  Kind of like the "brain"trust was on the fence still when it comes to Neifi.  At least it sounded like Hendry thought he had said too much when he blurted Neifi.

He did say that Ron Ce is doing "phenomenal" in the fall league and should be the MVP.  Or something.  I was still temporarily deaf from the Neifi remark.  It seems Cedeno would need to save Darren Baker from a burning fire--in addiiton to hitting his ass off-- to get the job.

I've gone from canonizing Hendry to wanting to punch him in the face in the span of 18 months.

And then, after the commercial, Kaplan put his angry--NON-asslicking--fan hat and played a radio montage of Cubs blunders (bad throws, Santo's bellowing etc.), and then expressed how unsatisfied he was.

Would have been nice if he played the blooper reel BEFORE Donuts came onthe air  and actually revealed his frustration then.

Well, we've got Pierre and Jacque now, maybe we're going to field the French National Team.

Don't forget boys, Big Boy Jim gave up draft picks for this sack of crap because the Twins offered him arbitration.

Quote from: Slaky311 on December 20, 2005, 08:26:16 PM
Don't forget boys, Big Boy Jim gave up draft picks for this sack of crap because the Twins offered him arbitration.

And we gave up draft picks for Eyre and Howry, too.  Meaning we lost our 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks because of these signings ... very nice work.

Quote from: TG on December 20, 2005, 08:46:46 PM

Quote from: Slaky311 on December 20, 2005, 08:26:16 PM
Don't forget boys, Big Boy Jim gave up draft picks for this sack of crap because the Twins offered him arbitration.

And we gave up draft picks for Eyre and Howry, too.  Meaning we lost our 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks because of these signings ... very nice work.

But at least we didn't overpay for Furcal...

Yep, a real winner of an offseason. Its less annoying when a friend of mine at work continues to tell me that they are a better team than last year. Shoot me.

The Cubs are going to finish behind Pissburgh. Does anyone have that on their radar?

I have the Cubs 2006 season on my radar, and it looks like this

(http://www.jewishworldreview.com/images/screwed.jpg)

Buried at the end of the AP story about Jock's signing, talking about Corey:

Quote"I'm sure that once people see that he's being tendered a contract ... I think that we'll see an increase in interest for Corey," [Hendry] said.

At least Hendry isn't even pretending that Corey will be around. 

Quote from: TG on December 20, 2005, 10:10:36 PM
Buried at the end of the AP story about Jock's signing, talking about Corey:

Quote"I'm sure that once people see that he's being tendered a contract ... I think that we'll see an increase in interest for Corey," [Hendry] said.

At least Hendry isn't even pretending that Corey will be around. 

He will be, we'll just call him Jock

Would you believe Hendry has now committed $95MM to this horseshit, making reasonable assumptions about what Z, Prior, Pierre et al. will make in arbitration? Honestly, could you put a WORSE team together with that kind of money? What a fucked up team, from 5 outs to the pennant to total fucking train wreck in 26 months, that's one helluva accomplishment!!

Can't wait for MacFail to give Hendry and he in turn, Baker, those long-term extensions. That will be a fung day, mang!!

At least we don't follow Tampa Bay

Quote from: SFXboy on December 20, 2005, 10:46:49 PM
At least we don't follow Tampa Bay

Dude, they may be better than the Cubs...

Baldelli
Crawford
D Young
Gathright
Huff
Upton
Cantu

Their pitching needs some work, and they could use a good 3B, but, really, which offense will score more runs?

Ugh...

Tampa Bay has one of the best offenses in the league.

I don't know if this is true, but some guy over at NSBB who has "sources" (I don't trust any source that isn't a barber) was saying that TB was willing to deal Huff for Wellemeyer and Hill, but the  Cubs only offered Guzman.

If this is true, this makes it that much more frustrating that we are stuck with Jock.
Give him Hill.
Guzman could just as easily be better.
Hendry said he learned from the Dontrelle deal never to give up a lefty with good make up.
Rich Hill isn't Dontrelle Willis!
You could have had Aubrey Friggin Huff.

I was reading over at TCR and someone had the frightening realization. Since Jones can't hit lefties Murton will be his platoon partner with Corey in RF.

It is so dumb that even Baker is capable of doing that.

Here's a fantasy for everyone -

We send Korey, Murton and Krissy Wood to Boston for Man-Ram.

Is it on anyone's radar yet?

Does any one have the fact that the Cubs still has NEVER signed a top free agent on their radar.

The fact that the Yankees got Damon for 4 years (and told his agent Boras  that if he didn't sign, they were going to trade for Korey, of all people, to get it done) pisses me off to no end.

Of course there is good news, I just saved a whole bunch of money for 2006 cubs tickets

Quote from: caramis on December 20, 2005, 11:06:46 PM
Tampa Bay has one of the best offenses in the league.

I don't know if this is true, but some guy over at NSBB who has "sources" (I don't trust any source that isn't a barber) was saying that TB was willing to deal Huff for Wellemeyer and Hill, but the  Cubs only offered Guzman.

If this is true, this makes it that much more frustrating that we are stuck with Jock.
Give him Hill.
Guzman could just as easily be better.
Hendry said he learned from the Dontrelle deal never to give up a lefty with good make up.
Rich Hill isn't Dontrelle Willis!
You could have had Aubrey Friggin Huff.

Yeah, Hill does have good "make-up." Hell, from what I saw of him last year, everything I've heard about him has been "made-up." Like that high-90s fastball, and that Barry Zito-esque curve ball. He's a real f@#$ing winner.

But to hell with all of that... The Bears can clinch the North on Christmas Day in Green Bay. I'll deal with the rest of this shit later.

if you got frustrated watching Corey wail away at pitches out of the strike zone, Jones will make you long for Patterson.   He AVERAGES 122K's per season.  This guy is no better than a platoon player.  His splits against LH pitching are laughable.  I cannot fucking believe signing this guy.

It seems the front management is trying to improve the defense, figuring that if Krissy and Prior are injured, the team won't win anyway.

But to sign Jacques to that contract...woof.

Wasn't Rick Monday available?

It really should'v been a 2 year deal with a mutual option for a third year.  I don't mind the signing of Jones as much as the rest of you (although its not the impact signing that I hoped it would be).  He plays great D.  He kills RHP (which you see 90% of the time).  They need to find a way to limit his ABs vs LHP to about 80 (realistically.  Ideally it'd be zero).  And you're not going to compare him to Koery because he's not going to be asked to leadoff and the word "potential" isn't associated with Jones anymore.

Of the FA's in the Sweaty Joe thread....  Byrnes would be a good fit.  So would Ryan Spilborghs (he's got a great eye).  Jamal strong would be alright.  He's fast and would finally give us a good PR.  Decent minor league numbers too.  More importantly he'd only get 100 ABs or so.  Same goes for Wayne Lydon.

Quote from: TW on December 21, 2005, 11:04:39 AM
It really should'v been a 2 year deal with a mutual option for a third year.  I don't mind the signing of Jones as much as the rest of you (although its not the impact signing that I hoped it would be).  He plays great D.  He kills RHP (which you see 90% of the time).  They need to find a way to limit his ABs vs LHP to about 80 (realistically.  Ideally it'd be zero).  And you're not going to compare him to Koery because he's not going to be asked to leadoff and the word "potential" isn't associated with Jones anymore.

Of the FA's in the Sweaty Joe thread....  Byrnes would be a good fit.  So would Ryan Spilborghs (he's got a great eye).  Jamal strong would be alright.  He's fast and would finally give us a good PR.  Decent minor league numbers too.  More importantly he'd only get 100 ABs or so.  Same goes for Wayne Lydon.

He "killed" RHP to the tune of .268/.348/.466 last year.  And he's got a weenie arm, which means he'll fit in well in our outfield.

he has a strong arm, just not always an accurate one.

Quote from: CT on December 21, 2005, 10:27:46 AM
He "killed" RHP to the tune of .268/.348/.466 last year.  And he's got a weenie arm, which means he'll fit in well in our outfield.

Ok, so maybe I got a little bit excited.  From 02-04 he averaged .280/.333/.474 vs RHP.  He's a very good hitter vs RHP.  Remember, this isn't a guy we're asking to hit leadoff or 3rd or 4th.  This is a 6th or 7th spot hitter.  If he puts up his average vs RHP this year (vs RHP) we'll be in a good spot.

He made 4 more assists than Burnitz in almost 30 fewer games.  If his errors are of the throwing variety that means he's gonna catch anything and everything as his Fielding Pct and range are fantastic.

Quote from: TW on December 21, 2005, 11:27:41 AM

Quote from: CT on December 21, 2005, 10:27:46 AM
He "killed" RHP to the tune of .268/.348/.466 last year.  And he's got a weenie arm, which means he'll fit in well in our outfield.

Ok, so maybe I got a little bit excited.  From 02-04 he averaged .280/.333/.474 vs RHP.  He's a very good hitter vs RHP.  Remember, this isn't a guy we're asking to hit leadoff or 3rd or 4th.  This is a 6th or 7th spot hitter.   If he puts up his average vs RHP this year (vs RHP) we'll be in a good spot.

He made 4 more assists than Burnitz in almost 30 fewer games.  If his errors are of the throwing variety that means he's gonna catch anything and everything as his Fielding Pct and range are fantastic.

Except that on this team, he's going to hit at least 5th, and considering Dusty's love of the right-left-right batting order, it isn't farfetched to think that the Jock will be hitting cleanup.

Ain't nothing really good about a .287 average or .333 on base against righties if you're a lefty.

Silver lining:  Cardinals seemed to have agreed with Syd Ponson.

290/.330/.470 is perfectly acceptable regarless of the matchup.  It makes you a MLB ballplayer who doesn't hurt you at the plate.  You'd take it in a heart beat from Jones.  It's a good platoon split.  If Jones put up a full year of stats like that you wouldn't complain.  So why would you complain if he was limiterd to only those situations where he could hit like that?

And I'm sure Jones will hit 3rd or 4th a few times this year when Lee/E-Ramis are out/hurt.  But it's not like he's being installed as a fixture in that spot.  It's not going to be because he's the best player.  It'll be because someone is out.  I'll grant you the 5th spot.  He may start there.  But that's more due to DFB's shortcomings than his own.  A smart manager hits him 6th and Murton 5th.  the fact that he may hit 5th isn't his fault and shouldn't be held against him.

I still can't help but think that Corey is a better player than Jacque.
If they just left him alone and batted Corey 6th or 7th from the begining, the Cubs could easily have a cheaper, faster, younger, defensively superior version of Jacque Jones, with better power.
Obviously Corey is so mixed up right now that Jacque is the safer bet.

This sums up my view (with props to Deadspin for linking to it)

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/35073/

Quote from: thehawk on December 21, 2005, 01:26:52 PM
This sums up my view (with props to Deadspin for linking to it)

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/35073/

Hey, if they're willing to play out the whole season in the Baseball Stars video game, I'm all for it.

I love Baseball Stars.  That game rocked.

Caramis, Korey may have been those things.  He may still be those things for someone else.  But he curently isn't, and probably won't be while he's here.

Yeah, I know, Corey should be better than Jock  Jones, but right now, he's not.  But an average year from Jacque Jones isn't much better than an average year from Corey.  And despite Corey's miserable 2005, he's still younger and cheaper.

QuoteHere's what BP had to say about the move
The Damon deal wasn’t the worst signing of an outfielder with an 11-letter name yesterday, though, The Cubs--and you just knew it was going to be the Cubs--inked Jacque Jones to a three-year deal to play right field. Jones, 31, is a completely inadequate corner outfielder with the bat who doesn’t make up for that by being a plus defender. Since a two-year peak at 27 and 28 (.300 with power), Jones has settled in as a .250 hitter who walks once or twice a week and pops an extra-base hit about that often. He doesn’t have very good speed (13 steals a year the last three years, six triples total, double-digit GIDPs from the left side) and while his range is good, his arm is poor.

Jones is basically a fourth outfielder, about as good a player as Michael Tucker or Ricky Ledee or someone like that. His 2002-03 peak, and the Twins’ lack of better players, branded him as something more, but he’ll be a disappointment for the Cubs, who continue to have an organizational blind spot when it comes to on-base percentage.

Not encouraging.   

I'm not crazy about this signing, but it was one of only remaining options. The Cardinals were hot after him so the Cubs had to go an extra year, but if they would've signed him their fan sites would be crowing over it today. Murton-Pierre-Jones is better than the Taguchi-Lassie-Bigbie OF shaping up in St. Louis. Plus, the Satanic Fowl signed Sidney Ponson, so it could be worse. I heard they promised him an "Aruba Day" in July to honor Natalee Holloway AND DK 57 on the same day.

Quote from: Dave B on December 21, 2005, 02:49:15 PM
I'm not crazy about this signing, but it was one of only remaining options. The Cardinals were hot after him so the Cubs had to go an extra year, but if they would've signed him their fan sites would be crowing over it today. Murton-Pierre-Jones is better than the Taguchi-Lassie-Bigbie OF shaping up in St. Louis. Plus, the Satanic Fowk signed Sidney Ponson, so it could be worse. I heard they promised him an "Aruba Day" in July to honor Natalee Holloway AND DK 57 on the same day.

The Cubs would have been better off in the division if the Cardinals would have signed him.

I think that last sentence in teh BP quote sums it up about perfectly.  For a while there, it looked like the Cubs may be hit ove rthe head with OBP, you know, finishing last in the NL in walks while seeing your best (3rd or 4th place) hitter hit 335 with barely 100 RBIs...

I give Donut Jim until Spring Training to bring in a real hitter at a position we can still upgrade (SS) and then I stop being a supporter of his.  Ass-clown.

T-Dub--I admire the sunny optimsim, but you're out over your skies in even attempting to make yourself feel better about this.  Perhaps it would make the readers at "Bleed Cubbie Blue" feel better, but you can't sell that shit here, no matter how you slice and dice it (and STILL go through this tin can)

This has simply gone worse than we imagined.

Why all of these multi-year deals?  Does Hendry know he and Baker are gone and he just wanst to spite his successor by saddling him with Nefi and Jock?  Who the f@#$ knows, right?

The only move, it seems, that has not resulted in a multi-year deal has been the acquisition of Pierre, whose trade is the only beacon of light in a dreary offseason.

It's Ed Lynch all over again.  Hendry's getting beat on the draw and, instead of holding onto his bullets for another chance, blasts away at tin cans, after the fact.  And, the way things have been going, I wouldn't be surprised if Pierre decides to play for a new deal this year.

They would have been better off going into Mesa with Patterson as the right fielder.  You'd either get lucky and CP would hit,  and you'd have leverage  in dealing him (or--heaven forbid--keep him), or he'd suck...but at least you wouldn't be stuck with this insane Jock Jones deal.

I know Jones was a FA and was liable to sign elsewhere.  But by winning the Stupid Sweepstakes ahead of, among others, St. Louis, Hendry now has no leverage in dealing Patterson at all and, now that any shot of redemption for Corey is blown once he's sees he's out of a job, further sending him down his spiral, should be nil come pring.

I'm sick of this.  Anyone want to root for the Schaumburg Flyers?

I don't know if I'd call it sunny optimism.  I still don't think they'll make the playoffs.  Nor do I think they'll be very good.  I'm just not as down on Jones as most others are (same goes for DBF and Barrett).  Yeah the offseason has sucked and it's going to take a huge trade to turn it around.  They'll repeat this year +/- 5 games or so.  It'll be more competitive because the Cardinals have gotten worse as well.  They are what they are and that's a 75-85 win team.  If DFB doesn't f-up this club too badly and they catch a couple breaks (like the Sox did) they could be a 85-90 win team.

The way I see it, they've remarkably improved CF and leadoff this year.  They lose nothing on Jones over Burnitz.  They get a full season of Murton.  Neifi will play less.  Macias is gone.  The improved the bullpen.  Cedeno is the big question (did he get it or is he nefiriffic?).

They haven't taken a step forward but they haven't taken a step backwards either.  They're stand with one leg up and hoping the wind is blowing favorably.

Quote from: TW on December 21, 2005, 04:09:27 PM
Neifi will play less. 

You're either not reading all of the tea leaves, or you're just choosing to ignore them.

I think I can speak for most here when I say that I am extremely skeptical that Neifi will play less.  You know he should play less.  I know he should play less.  My cousin in Galway, Ireland, who doesn't know anything about baseball probably knows he should play less.

But that doesn't mean he will play less.  And thinking he not only should sit more but actually will sit more is a very optimistic viewpoint.

Quote from: TW on December 21, 2005, 04:09:27 PM
They lose nothing on Jones over Burnitz.

I think all this means is they spent 16 mil for something that could have cost them 7 at the most.

Neifi won't play less.  DBF will play less.  Listen to Hendry and Baker.  "I like guys who catch the ball."  "After everything Neifi did for us last season [shades of Hollandsworth, don't you think?]"  Neifi's going to play more or less everyday.  Lee will regress some.  You have to hope that Murton and Ron Ce are able to be difference makers and that Z/Prior/Wood start at least 85 games.  If that doesn't happen, the Cubs are sub-.500, and there's really no excuse for that.

Sounds like the Cubs have interest in signing Eric Byrnes.  Get ready for lots of bench time in '06 Mr. Murton!  Wheee!

QuoteI'm sick of this.  Anyone want to root for the Schaumburg Flyers?

Well I was considering rooting for the team where I grew up and where my family lives...

...which is Southern Florida.  In the immortal words of Bill the Cat "GGGAAAKKKKK"

I am so fucking overjoyed that my return to the Greater Chicagoland Area will coincide with the commencement of the Jock Jones Era, that I want to stab myself in the eye with a seafood fork.

A lot.

Quote from: berserker on December 21, 2005, 06:57:01 PM

I am so f@#$ing overjoyed that my return to the Greater Chicagoland Area will coincide with the commencement of the Jock Jones Era, that I want to stab myself in the eye with a seafood fork.

A lot.

Since you're originally from here, you can get "right-of-first refusal" and accept the Bears.  Fuck the Giants anyway.

But you have to get here in a week.  Can you do that?  'Cause otherwise, the shit that'll be going down at Clark & Addison's going to remind you of your post-Durocher youth, I'm afraid.

Merry Christmas, indeed.

Quote from: Mike D. on December 21, 2005, 07:25:55 PM

Quote from: berserker on December 21, 2005, 06:57:01 PM

I am so f@#$ing overjoyed that my return to the Greater Chicagoland Area will coincide with the commencement of the Jock Jones Era, that I want to stab myself in the eye with a seafood fork.

A lot.

Since you're originally from here, you can get "right-of-first refusal" and accept the Bears.  f@#$ the Giants anyway.

But you have to get here in a week.  Can you do that?  'Cause otherwise, the shit that'll be going down at Clark & Addison's going to remind you of your post-Durocher youth, I'm afraid.

Merry Christmas, indeed.

It's OK, I've got a Carmen Fanzone button somewhere

Quote from: Mike D. on December 21, 2005, 07:25:55 PM
Since you're originally from here, you can get "right-of-first refusal" and accept the Bears.  f@#$ the Giants anyway.
But you have to get here in a week.  Can you do that?  'Cause otherwise, the shit that'll be going down at Clark & Addison's going to remind you of your post-Durocher youth, I'm afraid.

Merry Christmas, indeed.

Welome to Cubfandoom,where it's always winter and never Christmas.

From SBJ in today's trib:

"The Cubs should consider platooning Jones against left-handers, as they should have done with Patterson last season before he completely lost himself at the plate. Because Jones has financial security, he should understand and go with the flow."

I'll say it again: Preston. Wilson. Come ON!!!

will you stop saying that! that's not funny!

Quote from: caramis on December 22, 2005, 11:32:06 AM
will you stop saying that! that's not funny!

I'm not trying to be funny. That would be a better option for 4th OF than John Mabry's dead ass. He could platoon with Jock or play all three OF positions. And he wants to be a Cub. He'd be insurance in case Murton ends up sucking ass or is unable to handle the brutal Chicago summer heat. The humidity can be a bit much, you know. 

1. Pierre
2. Neifi!
3. Lee
4. Aramis
5. Jacque
6. Preston
7. Ron Ce
8. Hank

Caucasian Free!

I thought you said they'd be platooning?
you have them both in the same lineup...

Quote from: caramis on December 22, 2005, 12:31:37 PM
I thought you said they'd be platooning?
you have them both in the same lineup...

On a very hot day, yes. Night games could be differnt.

1. Pierre
2. Walker
3. Lee
4. Aramis
5. Murton
6. Jones/Preston
7. Neifi!/Ron Ce
8. Barrett

Repeat after me: just because Hendry the Idiot signed Jockularity Jones does NOT mean the Cubs are stuck with him for three years. When Theo takes over next fall, he'll just eat half of Jones' money and dump him on some team like the Royals or Pirates. Jones probably IS worth $2MM a year, so some team would take him.

As for 2006, it's a lost cause anyway, so just look forward to the Baker and Hendry Era ending and.....wait 'til next year. Again.

The Twins signed Rondell White today.  Presumably, it would be to replace Jones for the 97 games that White will be healthy enough to play.

Frankly, I would  rather have had fat f@#$ Hendry save his dollars and just sign Rondell to platoon with Corey, and wait for something better to come by.  This Jonesdeal  just reeks something awful as things stand now.

I can't believe we signed this guy to a three year deal. Did we really have to outbid the Royals for crying out loud ? Wouldn't most rather play in Chicago ? What about Pie ? Where does he fit in next year ?

Quote from: Oliver Clothesoff on December 22, 2005, 03:50:51 PM
What about Pie ? Where does he fit in next year ?

IF DFB's still gnawing on the toothpick in '07, then this

(http://www.burbanksportnets.com/Burbank%20Sportnets.data/Components/dugout_bench.jpg)

is where Pie will fit in.

Bump.

Because the Twins are bringing him back to Spring Training.  To mow the grass, I assume.

http://bit.ly/aX1c9M

Quote from: Andy on February 09, 2010, 04:04:36 PM
Bump.

Because the Twins are bringing him back to Spring Training.  To mow the grass, I assume.

http://bit.ly/aX1c9M

What's most surprising in this thread is that MikeD didn't love Hendry's signing of Jock to the Cubs.

Quote from: BH on February 09, 2010, 04:10:51 PM

Quote from: Andy on February 09, 2010, 04:04:36 PM
Bump.

Because the Twins are bringing him back to Spring Training.  To mow the grass, I assume.

http://bit.ly/aX1c9M

What's most surprising in this thread is that MikeD didn't love Hendry's signing of Jock to the Cubs.

Murton-Pierre-Jones, left-to-right in 2006--BOOK IT!

Quote from: Andy on February 09, 2010, 04:04:36 PM
Bump.

Because the Twins are bringing him back to Spring Training.  To mow the grass, I assume.

http://bit.ly/aX1c9M

Racist

Washington Post:

QuoteShortly before the National League Division Series began Friday night, the Washington Nationals announced assistant hitting coach Jacque Jones has been suspended with pay. The suspension is indefinite, pending a team investigation into a legal matter. The team would say no more about the matter, which marks its first off-field trouble of the 2017 season — at the worst possible moment.

"That was kind of a downer before the game because you know, he's a big part of the team," Dusty Baker said after Friday's loss to the Cubs. "I don't know if that had anything to do with [the loss], but it was a bit of a downer, and we hope that things subside and work themselves out."

A search of court records revealed a civil case filed Sept. 28 in which an unnamed plaintiff filed suit against Jones and the Washington Nationals in California Superior Court, San Diego County. That plaintiff, known in the case filings as Jane Doe, alleges Jones "had photos of Plaintiff's naked breasts," "promised her that the photos would be kept between them," and that "after their relationship ended, Jones intentionally distributed the photos without Plaintiff's consent." The suit alleges that the plaintiff suffered "general and special damages" from the distribution of those pictures.

In Jones's absence, minor league hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich will assume assistant hitting coach duties, with Rick Schu carrying out his normal duties as hitting coach. Jones has been with the Nationals since the beginning of the 2016 season.

So the breasts were naked, then?