MLB trade rumors: Orioles’ Adam Jones to Yankees or Phillies?

The Baltimore Orioles already traded left-handed reliever Zach Britton to the New York Yankees and shortstop Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Outfielder Adam Jones could be moved before the August 31, 2018 (8/31/18) waiver deadline, if he waives his 10-5 veto rights.

Watch video

The Baltimore Orioles aren’t done wheeling and dealing.

After trading reliever Zach Britton to the Yankees and shortstop Manny Machado to the Dodgers before the July 31st non-waiver deadline, Baltimore could be getting ready to deal outfielder Adam Jones as well.

The Orioles tried moving Jones, who will be a free agent after the season, before the non-waiver deadline, but had no luck.

But now, Baltimore is back at it, after seeing Jones clear waivers before the August 31st deadline.

Fancred’s Jon Heyman thinks the Phillies could be interested:

Jones had a chance before the non-waiver deadline to go to the Phillies, as we first reported by Fancred. But as is his right for a player with 10-and-5 veto rights, he declined to go to Philly. It’s possible they could revisit this, as they have acquired no other right-handed hitting outfielder, which is what they sought.

Sources close to the team suggest though that Jones might be more likely to consider an AL team, where he’d have a chance to DH as well as play the outfield, or perhaps at least a team with a clear need in the outfield. Jones is said to have had the opportunity to talk to Phillies executives, including either president Andy MacPhail or GM Matt Klentak, or both (both of whom Jones knew from their days with the Orioles; MacPhail made the great trade that brought him from Seattle), but word is their plan was to play him about four days a week. He’d share a right-field platoon with Nick Williams, a left-handed hitter who’s hit righties better than lefties, and occasionally play center for them.

A friend of Jones suggested among the reasons Jones preferred to stay in Baltimore than go to Philadelphia included family, friends, fans and his charity, and that’s certainly a big part of the picture, if not all of it. It isn’t known if a part-time role might have weighed on Jones, as well, and he hasn’t said.

Yankees report card 3/4 through the season

The Yankees are in need of an outfielder, with Aaron Judge (broken wrist), Clint Frazier (post-concussion symptoms) and Jacoby Ellsbury (hip surgery) on the disabled list. But don’t expect general manager Brian Cashman to make a move for Jones, per Heyman:

The Orioles recently approached the Yankees to see if there’s any interest there considering Aaron Judge is out, as is Clint Frazier and Gary Sanchez, diminishing their right-handed strength. However, the Yankees are counting on a return for Judge and the others before too long, and are only a few million dollars below the $197-million luxury tax threshold, money they’d like to keep in case there are any more rotation solutions that crop up.

One thing to keep in mind. Even though Jones cleared waivers, he still has 10-and-five veto rights. Any player with 10 years of MLB experience, including the last five with the same club, can veto any deal.

Jone is hitting .285 this season with 13 home runs and 49 RBI in 114 games.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.