Jones to critics: 'I have a lot of gas left in my tank'

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Andruw Jones speaks softly, but he has excellent hearing.

Already in the White Sox' training camp - pitchers and catchers take the field for the first time on Sunday - Jones is aware of all the talk about his alleged declining skill level.

"You know, I had one bad year my whole career, basically, and everybody ruled me off. 'He's done.' Whatever," Jones said on a rainy Saturday morning at Camelback Ranch. "So those things you have in the back of your mind. You're looking forward to getting back on the field when you're physically strong so you can go out there and play another six years, seven years."

The Sox are only asking Jones to play one good year, for now at least. By signing the five-time all-star for just $500,000 (with another $1 million possible in incentives), the White Sox don't appear to have much confidence in Jones, either.

That seems to be just fine with the 32-year-old native of Curacao who broke into the majors with Atlanta in 1996, just three months after his 19th birthday.

Jones was an all-around star for the Braves, winning 10 straight Gold Gloves and hitting 351 home runs.

Continuing to add to his Hall of Fame resume while hitting 26 homers and driving in 94 for the Braves in 2007, Jones signed a two-year, $36.2 million contract with the Dodgers over the winter and proceeded to have his "one bad year."

Jones batted .158 with 3 HRs and 15 RBI in 75 miserable games with Los Angeles in 2008 and was granted his release after reportedly agreeing to defer much of the $22 million remaining on his contract.

Battling a knee injury that required surgery with the Dodgers, Jones signed with the Texas Rangers last season and managed 17 home runs in 43 games while batting .214.

"I didn't have the opportunity to play every day last year," Jones said. "I know I have a lot of gas left in my tank to go out there and perform on a regular basis. I just have to put it together. I went out and worked hard in December and the whole month of January to be ready for camp and to help this team get to where they want to get."

Looking fit and focused, Jones said manager Ozzie Guillen is one of the main reasons he signed with the White Sox. Jones and Guillen were teammates with the Braves in 1998-99.

"Everybody hears so much stuff about Ozzie," Jones said. "He's a great guy and he knows a lot about the game. I had an opportunity to play with him and I learned a lot from him. He was always on my butt to go out there and produce every day.

"Now, to get a chance to play under him as a manager, it's going to be a good experience. I think on paper, we've got a good team to go to the World Series and win it. It's all about getting it together and staying healthy."

Jones made his mark as one of the best defensive center fielders to ever play the game. Curiously, he didn't play the position with Texas last season.

Heading into this season, Alex Rios is the Sox' starter in center. Jones is expected to serve as designated hitter while backing up Rios, left fielder Juan Pierre, right fielder Carlos Quentin and even first baseman Paul Konerko.

"They wanted me to come and that's why I signed here right away," Jones said of the White Sox. "You can see around the league, a lot of guys that had great years, they don't have a job still. For them to come and tell me, 'Hey, get in shape and you'll get a chance to play every day,' that motivated me more to go out and work hard and get my body right so I can play every day."