The Atlanta Braves severed ties with perennial Gold Glove outfielder Andruw Jones on Tuesday.

Jones, 30, expected the move and will become a free agent following the World Series.

Andruw Jones has spent his entire 12-year MLB career with Atlanta.
(Alan Diaz/Associated Press)

"I'm fine with it," he said. "I'm appreciative of the chance they gave me to play for Atlanta all these years.

"I understand the decision they have to make, that's just the way it is. It's a business."

Jones, one of the top sluggers in the major leagues the previous two seasons, hit only .222 with 26 home runs, 94 runs batted in and 83 runs scored in 154 games this season, one in which he was paid a whopping $13.5 million US.

He combined to hit 92 homers and drive in 257 runs in 2005 and 2006.

"I'm fine with it," Jones said. "I'm appreciative of the chance they gave me to play for Atlanta all these years.

"I understand the decision they have to make, that's just the way it is. It's a business."

Considering how his production tailed off, the Braves plan to use the money they'll save on Jones to bolster the rotation and possibly re-sign first baseman Mark Teixeira, who is eligible for arbitration.

"It [keeping Jones] just doesn't work for us," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said. "It doesn't demean or diminish everything he has done."

"It's a business, you cannot take it to heart," Jones said. "I just have to move on and start with a new team."

Jones is a career .263 hitter with 368 HRs, 1,117 RBIs and 1,045 runs in 1,761 games since making his major-league debut with the Braves on Aug. 15, 1996.

He has won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards for fielding excellence.

With files from the Associated Press