Adam Jones on roster moves and Chris Davis offer: "It shows that the team cares"

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones made it clear to ownership and executive vice president Dan Duquette that the club needed to be more aggressive in keeping its core together.

He sees the players retained and the offer made to Chris Davis, and he's confident that the message has been received.

"By what they're doing right now, offering seven years and north of $150 (million), I think they've grabbed a hold of what I wanted to get through to them," Jones said today at FanFest.

"That's all I asked. I didn't ask to do this. I said, just make the effort, show not just me, but show the city, show the fans that you're making a conscious effort to keep this team intact because as a core, we have a really good team. If you take away pieces of it, it's not that good for the team."

Jones also feels that the message resonates through the clubhouse.

"It shows that the team cares. It shows that they're not just blowing smoke up our tails," Jones said.

"It shows that we want to keep this team intact. And it shows by re-signing (Darren) O'Day. That's a lot of money for a set-up guy, but it showed that he meant this much to the team. And C.D., same way."

Jones remains hopeful that Davis re-signs with the club, but he can't offer a prediction.

"I think they've been aggressive. That's all I can ask for," Jones said.

"It's up to the player. I've said it many times. People want to think, 'What about the fans, what about the loyalty?' (and) all that stuff. But it's up to the player and he's awarded himself free agency, so weigh every option he has, as he should.

"Personally, I think he would (like to return), but it doesn't matter what I think or feel. That's up to him and his family. I know he loves this stadium. I think his numbers have reflected that. But at the same time, you know who is agent is, so it's not going to be the easiest thing. Personally, I'd love to have him on my team, but business-wise, he's going to have to make the best business decision."

This wasn't the only Scott Boras reference from Jones.

"Matt (Wieters), I like that signing," Jones said. "What I like about it is that his agent was the first one to get the qualifying offer and I know he's not too happy about that part, but I don't care. He's not mine. But I'm glad to have (Wieters) back.

"Coming off his elbow and he's going to have a full year this year, I think he's going to have a big year. He's going to be a free agent again, so it's up to him to go out and have a big year.

"(Mark) Trumbo, I've played against him, I've chased a few balls down, I've had to stop on a few that already have been out of the ballpark. I think he's going to be a tremendous addition to our team, a guy with a lot of power, and I've heard nothing but good things from other guys that I talked to about him."

Jones said he isn't sure exactly what other areas the Orioles are targeting this winter, but he has a pretty good idea.

"You need pitching, everything," he said. "We need another hitter. I don't know the checklist of things they want to get done, but it's every year.

"If we don't re-sign Chris, we still need to get some offense. We need to go after somebody else. Maybe an outfielder. You have to sign somebody. And I think by showing Chris and showing the fans that we've got some money to spend, they can use that in a different direction if Chris goes in another direction."

I asked Jones about the importance of keeping O'Day in the bullpen.

"In our clubhouse," he responded. "Just having him back, his presence. I didn't realize how much of a presence he really was a couple years ago, but seeing him work with the bullpen, work with the pitchers, the young guys also, he's a tremendous leader and I'm glad he's back."

One of Jones' closest friends in baseball, outfielder L.J. Hoes, is back in the organization after being reacquired from the Astros for cash considerations.

"When he first got drafted here, he just latched on to me and I got to know him and his family and all that stuff. Just trying to show him the ropes through my eyes a little bit and teach him the game," Jones said. "Then we traded him for Bud Norris, which, it was a good trade on both. He got to go to Houston and get an opportunity to play. That didn't happen over in Houston, so come back over here and get another opportunity."