Yanks talking with Jones about outfield spot

Andruw Jones signed a one-year, $2 million deal to be... — Andruw Jones signed a one-year, $2 million deal to be a fourth outfielder for the Yankees in 2011. Credit: AP

By JIM BAUMBACHjim.baumbach@newsday.comJanuary 17, 2011

The Yankees have been engaged in talks with free agent Andruw Jones about a reserve outfield spot, but they remain "far apart" on the financial terms, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

Jones, 33, hit .230 (64-for-278) with 19 homers and 48 RBIs for the White Sox last season. The Yankees envision using him primarily against lefthanders, against whom he had a .373 on-base percentage and .558 slugging percentage in 2010.

Marcus Thames was effective against lefthanded pitching last year, but Jones represents a defensive upgrade over Thames in the role of righthanded-hitting reserve outfielder. Thames reportedly is set to sign a one-year deal with the Dodgers.

Jones is represented by Scott Boras, the same agent who represents Rafael Soriano. The Yankees are expected to make Soriano's three-year, $35-million deal - reached late last week - official after he takes a physical this week.

General manager Brian Cashman, who took a strong public stance against signing Soriano a few days before the deal, has not returned calls since the two sides came to an agreement.