© Lance Iversen | 2016 Aug 12
The San Francisco Giants are one of three teams interested in trading for Orioles outfielder Adam Jones, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. The Indians and Phillies are expressing the strongest interest, with the Giants apparently “lurking” assuming they can get some “financial relief” in the deal. Jones would have to waive his no-trade clause for a deal to get done.
Baltimore #Orioles center fielder Adam Jones likely will waive no-trade rights to a contender, several close to Jones say, but wants to keep door open for potential return.The #Phillies and #Indians expressing strongest interest while #SFGiants lurking if get financial relief
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 26, 2018
The Giants’ payroll is currently a few million under the $197 luxury tax threshold, which they want to stay under before next offseason in order to avoid future cap penalties. Jones, 32, is owed $17 million this season and is in the last year of his contract. It stands to reason that the Giants would need the Orioles to eat a portion of Jones’ contract, in addition to whomever the Giants were to send over in the deal, in order for San Francisco to stay under the tax threshold.
Jones, a five-time All-Star, is having an average season at the plate, posting a slash line of .277/.304/.422 with 10 home runs.