Major League Baseball

Braves 3B won't retire during season

Published Jun. 16, 2010 1:51 a.m. ET

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The agent for Chipper Jones said the six-time All-Star third baseman is considering retirement but will not leave the Braves during the season.

“Absolutely not,” B.B. Abbott told FOXSports.com on Tuesday night. “There is no way he’s going to leave now. I’m very confident about that.”

The primary reason for that, Abbott said, is Jones’ loyalty to manager Bobby Cox and his Atlanta teammates. Cox has said he will retire at the end of the season, and Jones, who has played for him since 1993, would not want to upstage him.

A separate source confirmed to FOXSports.com that Jones is leaning toward retirement.

Jones is batting just .228 with three home runs and 22 RBIs, well below his career norms. Abbott said he expects Jones to reach a decision about his future “within the next week to 10 days.”

“It’s very important to Chipper that he respect the game and go out the right way,” Abbott said. “He thinks (the uncertainty) has become a distraction, and he’s never wanted to be a distraction.”

Last week, in an interview with Mark Grace of Fox Sports Arizona, Jones said: “Past this year, I don’t know what the future will hold, but I’m here this year and we’re in first place. So I’m happy.”

Jones has spoken with Braves officials about his future on multiple occasions in recent weeks and months. He is due to be paid $14 million in each of the next two seasons; it seems likely that a deferral and/or partial payment would be negotiated if Jones walks away.

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