Braves bid farewell to slugger Jones

ATLANTA (Reuters) - The Atlanta Braves broke ties with slugger and perennial Gold Glove winner Andruw Jones on Tuesday, ending the centerfielder's 11-year career with the club.

The 31-year-old Jones is about to enter free agency and was told by general manager John Schuerholz the Braves do not intend to bid for his services.

"It wasn't easy," Schuerholz told reporters. "We debated it. We had a lot of lively debate but it just doesn't work for us."

Jones had his toughest year at the plate in 2007, in terms of average. He batted a career-low .222, but did hit 26 homers and drive in 94 runs for Atlanta, which finished out of the post-season for the second straight year after 14 successive first-place finishes.

Jones came to the Braves in 1996 and is a .263 lifetime hitter, with 368 home runs and 1,117 RBIs. He is expected to win his 10th straight Gold Glove Award during the off-season.

(Writing by Mike Shalin in Boston)