Have the Marlins finally found an everyday center fielder? Jacque Jones signed a minor league deal Monday, potentially plugging a hole in center field.
Jones will play in the minor leagues this week before joining the team later, possibly by Friday.
He will be given a chance to start in center. At the least, he will platoon with Cody Ross and also spell Luis Gonzalez in left field. Gonzalez, 40, has been filling in for injured left fielder Josh Willingham since late April.
Jones was released by the Tigers on May 13 after batting .165 in 24 games. The Marlins hope he can revert to the production he had with the Cubs in 2006, when he hit .285 with 27 home runs and 81 RBIs.
Jones, 33, fits what the Marlins need. He bats left-handed, hits leadoff and plays center field. In the team's first 43 games, platooning center fielders Alfredo Amezaga and Cody Ross have hit a combined .209 with four home runs and 16 RBIs mostly from the leadoff spot.
