Impressive: Chipper Jones restructuring deal with Braves

[Aristotle]

Wow. This is really impressive. This is the sort of thing that might actually make me root for the Braves again.

Report: Chipper Jones restructuring deal with Braves

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has agreed to restructure his contract, potentially saving the team $15 million over the next three seasons, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday night.

The deal would reduce Jones' 2006 salary from $17 million to $11 million.

...

Jones, concerned that his salary had become a "drag" to the Braves' payroll, has offered to restructure his contract at the end of each of the last two seasons.

The deal, which won't become final until Jones passes a physical exam, would free up salary so the Braves could address other needs this winter, most notably re-signing free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.

When players do things like this, it really makes me want to root for them and their team. It shows the person really cares more about winning than just raking in the absolute most money possible.

Granted, it isn't exactly like making $11 million is chump change, but it is still pretty amazing that he's willing to just give up $6 million a year purely for the sake of having a better team.

[Gadiantor]

Guys like that rule. Unfortunately the spotlight never stays on them long and we end up hearing more about the guys who give all professional atheletes a bad name.