Adam Jones Talks About Free Agency, Promotes Charity Tailgate

For the first time since 2012, Adam Jones is a free agent. But that doesn't mean he's done being a part of Baltimore.

On Sunday, Jones hosts his sixth annual #StayHungry Purple Tailgate ahead of the Baltimore Ravens' home game against the Oakland Raiders. He aims at raising more than ever for the Boys & Girls Club of Baltimore.

"I believe when you invest in your own city, you help kids in your city, you see the value in it," the Orioles free agent told Brett Hollander.

He said that while the tailgate and other donations make headlines, he and his wife Audie are involved in a number of other initiatives that fly under the radar, Jones said, including scholarships.

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"Behind the scenes, we've got some really cool things going on to get these bright young minds going to the next level," Jones said. "A degree is something you can't take away. I'm an athlete. One of these days I'm not going to be an athlete no more. But if you have a degree--which I don't have, which I need, I'm probably going to go back to school with my kids. But if you have a degree, you can never take that degree away."

Jones said he isn't bothered about free agency.

"To be honest with you, I am not nervous at all because you know there's no need for me to be nervous," Jones said. "I hope that my play last year proved that first off I still can play and still can hit."

His comments came after a year in which, despite hitting just 15 home runs--his fewest since 2009--he slashed .281/.313/.419 with a 102 OPS+, meaning his bat was worth roughly the league average. On defense, Jones ceded center field to call-up Cedric Mullins, recording a .988 fielding percentage in center (106 appearances) and .986 in right field (33 appearances).

The Orioles are a rebuilding team with a crop of young outfielders entering their prime. Besides Mullins, the Orioles have Austin Hays and former first-round draft pick DJ Stewart on the active roster, with Yusniel Diaz (acquired from the Dodgers in the Manny Machado trade) and Mike Yazstrzemski coming up through the minors. Jones seemed resigned to his time in Baltimore likely being up, and pointed to other former Orioles, particularly Nick Markakis, who have moved on to productive second acts.

"At the end of the day, I've given all I have here," he said.

But before contracts comes Thanksgiving dinner. The Jones household will have turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy.

"Somebody's bringing sweet potato pies or they're getting left out," he said.