Chipper Jones Signs $90 Million Deal

A T L A N T A, Aug. 17 -- Finally announcing a deal that had been rumoredfor weeks, NL MVP Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves agreedtoday on a six-year contract said to be worth $90 million.

Jones, 28, had been eligible to become a free agent after thisseason. He has played his entire career in Atlanta after beingselected by the Braves with the first pick of the 1990 amateurdraft.

The deal, which contains two club options that could make itworth $120 million for eight seasons, would be the fourth-richestpackage in baseball, trailing only Cincinnati outfielder KenGriffey Jr. ($116.5 million for nine years) Los Angeles pitcherKevin Brown ($105 million for seven years) and New York Metscatcher Mike Piazza ($91 million for seven years).

Piled Up the Numbers in ’99

Jones’ deal matches Brown’s average salary of $15 million. Thataverage would be surpassed if the commissioner’s office decidesRoger Clemens’ $30.9 million extension with the New York Yankees,announced last Friday, should be treated as a two-year contract,not a three-year deal as the team announced.

Jones is getting $4.75 million this season in the final year ofhis contract.

Last year, he became the first major-leaguer to hit .300 (.319)with 100 runs (116), 40 doubles (41), 40 homers (45), 100 RBIs(110), 100 walks (126) and 20 stolen bases (25).

Jones is hitting .305 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs this season.