“Connolly’s Tap Room” has moved to a new, pricier location, and in its place, I’m pleased to introduce, “Dubroff’s Diner.”
The diner will be a place where we can meet to debate the Orioles’ issues of the day and, as you know, there are many.
At the diner, everyone is welcome for a free meal. There’ll be plenty of cheeseburgers, onion rings, crab cakes and tuna fish sandwiches on the menu, and the walls will be decorated with “Jerseys of the Game.”
There’s no set day for the diner, but you’ll get a chance to visit it regularly.
For our first question, let’s talk about Adam Jones. With Manny Machado and Zach Britton moving on to more competitive environs, Jones, who has been with the team since 2008, is by far the most well-known and popular player left.
A few teams, including the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillie,s are reportedly interested in him.
Unlike Britton and Machado, Jones can veto any trade because he’s been in the major leagues for 10 years and with the Orioles for five years.
Jones, who’ll be 33 on Wednesday, the day after the non-waiver trade deadline, is hitting .277 with 10 home runs and 38 RBIs — good numbers, but below those of the last seven seasons.
A five-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover in center field, Jones has hit at least 25 homers and driven in 70 runs each year since 2011.
On Tuesday, he was named winner of the Orioles’ “Heart and Hustle” award for the sixth time. It’s given out by former players, and it recognizes excellence on and off the field.
Jones has been extraordinarily involved in the community and has been recognized for it nationally.
“Take a good snapshot. Guys like him are hard to find,” manager Buck Showalter said.
“Adam’s not worried about getting participation awards. He’s not getting a ribbon for being on the team. This has been tough on him. He may not wear it on his sleeve, but it’s been tough on him.”
The question is: Do you think the Orioles should trade Jones to a contender if they can get value in return? Or, is he too important symbolically for the team to move him?
“When they think of Adam, they think of the Orioles,” Showalter said.
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