Scott Taetsch/Getty Images Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones explained Tuesday that he simply exercised the rights afforded to him by Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement when he vetoed a possible move to the Philadelphia Phillies in advance of Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline. "When players walked out years ago and walked the picket lines and stuff, they did that for reasons like this," Jones said, according to the Baltimore Sun's Eduardo A. Encina. "I earned this and it's my decision. I don't have to explain it to nobody. It's my decision. Thank you." Jones' comments come two days after Fancred's Jon Heyman reported Jones had "given the impression" he wanted to stay in Baltimore to see out the remainder of his contract, which is set to expire at season's end. The 33-year-old was afforded the right to make that call after he earned 10-and-5 rights, which are given to players who have racked up at least 10 years of MLB experience, including the last five straight with the same team. "I made the decision, you all didn't," Jones added after Baltimore's 6-3 loss to the New York Yankees. "This is my decision, this is my life. I'm not going around dictating other people's lives. So why do they do that with us? No one is going to tell me what to do. I earned every single bit of it. People before me fought vigorously, tirelessly to get rights like this. And I can invoke them." Had Jones approved a move to Philadelphia, he could have provided a welcome veteran presence in a promising outfield that includes Odubel Herrera, Rhys Hoskins and Nick Williams. Video Play Button Videos you might like However, a move down I-95 didn't suit Jones. As a result, his playing time is likely to dwindle down the stretch as the Orioles budget more playing time for young contributors with a full-scale rebuild in mind. "I see what they're talking about when they're talking about us with a rebuild and fire sale," Jones said. "We got rid of some guys that are making substantial money and are probably gonna make substantial money next year. That's [proof] they're going in a different direction." The 33-year-old—who entered Tuesday batting .285 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI—will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.<doc-sep>“I'm a professional, so I'm going to show up every day play the game as hard as I can and live with the results,” Jones said. “I believe the team will follow suit. Might not look pretty some days, might look pretty some days. It's not going to be all grandeur and all that stuff. We are going to struggle the next two months. But you can go out there and control how you play the game, control your attitude, control your energy, control your effort. Just because you don't get the necessary results doesn't mean you are not trying.”<doc-sep>Gail Burton/Associated Press Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is reportedly staying put despite interest from the Philadelphia Phillies. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the news Sunday, noting "there was a chance" Jones would go to the Phillies but elected to stay in Baltimore because of family, friends, his charity and the fans. Heyman pointed out there is a chance the Phillies could renew their interest following the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. It would make sense for the Orioles, who are in last place in the American League East, to move the 32-year-old Jones and add some younger pieces to facilitate a rebuild, but he has no-trade protection in his contract, per Spotrac. He is set for unrestricted free agency in 2019 and could choose to sign elsewhere in the offseason, although his decision to stay put for now suggests he is happy in Baltimore. Jones, a five-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glover and Silver Slugger winner, has struggled to maintain his power during the 2018 campaign. He is slashing .285/.312/.434 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI this season, and his streak of seven straight campaigns with at least 25 long balls is in jeopardy. Still, Philadelphia’s interest in Jones is justified given his track record, and it could use the power boost as a solid but unspectacular 13th in the league in total home runs. Video Play Button Videos you might like The Phillies are 1.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East and looking for their first postseason appearance since the 2011 campaign.<doc-sep>BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 15: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a three-run double in the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 15, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) Phillies vs Dodgers: How to watch Chase Utley’s final regular season game in Philadelphia Phillies vs Dodgers: How to watch Chase Utley’s final regular season game in Philadelphia by George Stockburger The latest Phillies trade rumors have them connected to another Orioles veteran Phillies trade rumors have been rampant this month, and the latest report has them talking with the Baltimore Orioles regarding outfielder Adam Jones. Jon Paul Morosi of MLB Network reported on the program Wednesday morning that the Phillies are among a handful of teams calling the Orioles regarding Jones. Baltimore, having recently dealt Zach Britton to the Yankees, is open for business as they finally begin a rebuild. Baltimore is very familiar with the Phillies farm system having negotiated deals involving Britton and Manny Machado. The Phillies front office is also familiar with Jones having worked with him when most of the team officials were in Baltimore. Jones carries 10-5 rights for being in the Major Leagues for 10 seasons and with the same club for the last five years. Those rights allow him to block any trade the Orioles come to him with, but with no playoff hopes in Baltimore Jones could approve a deal. Perhaps the allure of moving just 99 miles north to Philadelphia and into a playoff race draws Jones towards approving a deal. Turning 33 the day after the trade deadline, Jones is hitting .277 with 10 home runs and 109 hits in 98 games. Philadelphia needs a fourth outfielder after sending Aaron Altherr to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. While Jones is primarily an outfielder he could platoon with Nick Williams in right field. He’s played on 6 of his 1,637 major league games in right field. Toronto Blue Jay Curtis Granderson has also been linked to the Phillies, as has Marlins utility man Derek Dietrich. Either of the three would dramatically improve the Phillies bench, which totes a .213 batting average as pinch-hitters, 18th in baseball. Follow That Ball’s Outta Here on Twitter for the latest news and Phillies trade rumors as we approach the July 31 trade deadline.<doc-sep>
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 27: Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 27, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Why the Phillies should not be passive at the trade deadline Why the Phillies should not be passive at the trade deadline by Koy Zdimal Phillies trade rumors have been hot leading up to the deadline, but there’s one they won’t get done, at least right now Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones has reportedly used his no-trade abilities to reject a move to Philadelphia according to Jon Heyman. Phillies trade rumors have been hot around Jones, who has 10-5 rights to reject a deal. A player receives 10-5 rights after 10 seasons and playing his last five consecutive years with the same team. Jones has been the topic of trade discussions for the past couple of weeks, but he apparently wants to remain with the Orioles for the time being. One insider put the chances of Jones moving at 55-45 percent earlier this week given Jones’ desire to remain in Baltimore. The soon-to-be 33-year-old is hitting .281 with 11 home runs this year for the 32-74 Orioles. Jones would have been a solid fourth or fifth outfielder with a veteran voice in one of the youngest clubhouses in baseball. A potential platoon with Nick Williams in right field could have been another option, although Jones has only started two games in right field in his career. Virtually the entire Philadelphia front office knows Jones from their time in Baltimore, and team president Andy MacPhail traded for Jones when he ran the Orioles back in 2008. This leaves the Phillies without a veteran outfielder for the time being with Rhys Hoskins, Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, and Roman Quinn patrolling the grass. Aaron Altherr was demoted last week after a stagnant season, and Quinn joined the team earlier this week after coming off the disabled list. While the Phillies made a deal with the Mets to acquire Asdrubal Cabrera, they are still hoping to upgrade their bench before the deadline. Rangers third baseman Joey Gallo has been mentioned as a potential trade piece as a power bat off the bench, and Blue Jays veteran Curtis Granderson has also been mentioned in Phillies trade rumors.