ATLANTA -- Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has agreed to restructure his contract, reducing his salary by $6 million next season, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday.
Under the deal, his salary would go from $17 million to $11 million and could save the Braves about $15 million over three seasons.
That could free up salary, helping the Braves in their efforts to re-sign free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal and possibly pursue a top closer, the newspaper reported.
Jones' agent, B.B. Abbott, told the newspaper the reworked contract would turn a pair of $15 million vesting-option years in 2007 and 2008 into guaranteed years at $11 million per season. The deal also includes a $4 million signing bonus due in January, and adds a vesting option for 2009 worth between $8 million and $11 million.
The deal can't be finalized until Jones passes a physical exam for insurance purposes.
Faced with the possibility of losing Furcal to another team, the Braves might have found a way to keep their shortstop and leadoff man.
The Braves have also shown interest in San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman, a free agent who is second on the all-time saves list with 436 -- including 43 in 46 chances last season.
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