MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins right fielder Jacque Jones declined arbitration with the club, then agreed to a deal to play for the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Jones' agent, Dan Lozano, said the Twins were only offering a one-year deal and that his client has several multi-year offers on the table. Jones accepted a deal with the Cubs for three years, but financial terms were not disclosed.
The Twins offered arbitration so they would be assured a 2006 first-round draft pick when the 30-year-old outfielder signed with another team. Jones made $5 million last season, but almost assuredly would have received a raise had he accepted the offer.
Jones was drafted by the Twins in 1996 and broke into the majors in 1999. He led the team with 23 home runs last season and hit .249 with 73 RBI.
On Tuesday, the Twins tendered all but one of the unsigned players on their 40-man roster, including arbitration-eligible pitcher Kyle Lohse, infielder Nick Punto and outfielder Michael Cuddyer.
They declined to tender right-handed reliever Grant Balfour, who missed the entire season after having ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
