masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgDALLAS – A major league source said the Orioles are willing to trade Adam Jones. I would say there is a big gap between “are willing to trade him” and “an actual deal happening,” so it’s a little premature to jump that far with this development.

It makes perfect sense to me for the team to listen to offers for Jones. He’s a 26-year-old talent whose best years are likely ahead of him and several teams would have to be very interested in the Orioles center fielder. They could possibly get…DALLAS – A major league source said the Orioles are willing to trade Adam Jones. I would say there is a big gap between “are willing to trade him” and “an actual deal happening,” so it’s a little premature to jump that far with this development.

It makes perfect sense to me for the team to listen to offers for Jones. He’s a 26-year-old talent whose best years are likely ahead of him and several teams would have to be very interested in the Orioles center fielder. They could possibly get a nice haul for Jones or a key pitching talent or two. It’s Dan Duquette’s job to listen.

But it also should be pointed out that every public comment Duquette has made on this topic has been along the lines of “Adam is the kind of player we need to build around.”

Yet Jones’ trade value is higher with two years left on his contract then it will be with one and there is no guarantee he will remain an Oriole when he can be a free agent.

Listen to offers for Jones? Makes perfect sense to me. Trade Jones? That depends on what the club would hear in those offers.

Update: Jon Morosi, national writer for FOXsports.com just tweeted the following: “#Orioles telling teams that Adam Jones is off limits.”

Another major league source said “no way” would the Orioles deal Jones.

I would be surprised if the Orioles would not even at least listen to offers for Jones. Why would they be telling teams he is off limits? I don’t think any of their players should be off limits just for discussions. A source did confirm that several teams have been asking the Orioles about Jones. Maybe we will find out later today if the conversation has gotten any furher than that when Duquette talks with reporters.

At this point there is no reason to believe a trade of Jones is probably anything more than a longshot.