Adam Jones: Extension Is the Right Move for the Baltimore Orioles

According to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, the Baltimore Orioles and star center fielder Adam Jones are "close" to signing a contract extension worth roughly $85 million over the next six seasons.

The Baltimore Orioles have had an incredible season so far, and if Jones' proposed extension goes through, it will be obvious that they are trying to make this winning atmosphere a habit.

The Orioles have a talented young core to build around, with Jones squarely in the middle. He is currently hitting .311 with 14 home runs, 29 RBI and six stolen bases through 45 games.

Last season, in 151 games, Jones hit .280 with 25 home runs, 83 RBI and 12 stolen bases. If he is able to stay as hot as he has been so far this year, he should easily eclipse those numbers and continue to help the Orioles fight for the American League East in 2012.

However, this isn't just about 2012. Baltimore seems to be a team that is in a position to compete for a few years. By locking up Jones, it will have a legitimate five-tool centerpiece to continue building around.

With other pieces like Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis around him in the lineup, the Orioles should have quite a bit of firepower.

Even though this is a huge commitment (and apparently the largest contract in Baltimore Orioles history, according to Matt Snyder of CBS Sports), it is the right move for the O's. Jones will not only help the Orioles right now, but he will be able to help them for quite a few years down the road as well.

You become a high-quality team by retaining high-quality players. Assuming that this extension is formally hammered out in the very near future, the Baltimore Orioles are following that strategy perfectly.

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