Second baseman Jeff Kent will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers next season, his agent said Tuesday, deciding against retirement following a 2007 campaign that left him frustrated enough to publicly criticize the team's young players.

Kent, a likely Hall of Famer when he retires, had a guaranteed $9 million option for 2008, but he said at the end of the season that he was undecided about returning, citing family considerations. He also likely wanted to see whether or not the Los Angeles Dodgers had a chance to win a title.

"Jeff has advised Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti that he intends to play in 2008 and is looking forward to returning for his fourth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers," agent Jeff Klein, wrote in an e-mail. "He is actively pursuing his customary and rigorous offseason conditioning and weightlifting program and is very focused on helping his team win the World Series."

Kent, who will turn 40 in the spring, led the team with 20 home runs last season while hitting .302 and driving in 79 runs. But the Los Angeles Dodgers' failings in September led him to lash out at the team. He focused his complaints on the inexperience that surrounded him.

But new manager Joe Torre spoke to Kent by phone and hinted during his introductory press conference that Kent was leaning toward a return. It couldn't have hurt that the Los Angeles Dodgers finally are on the verge of signing a middle-of-the-order hitter to help Kent in the lineup and possibly reach another World Series.

The news came on a day when Andruw Jones passed a physical examination in Los Angeles, clearing the way for the free-agent slugger to sign a two-year, $36.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He'll be introduced at a press conference today.

The Gold Glove center fielder will earn a base salary of $9 million in 2008 and $15 million in 2009. The deal includes a $12.2 million signing bonus, with $5.1 million paid next year, $2.1 million in 2009 and another $5 million deferred to 2010.

Jones, 30, will also reportedly receive a no-trade clause. He agreed to the contract last week at the winter meetings.

Meanwhile, shortstop Rafael Furcal, who helped recruit his former Braves teammate to the Los Angeles Dodgers, received clearance to test his left ankle in the Dominican Winter League.

He is expected to debut today with Aguilas Cibaenas.

 

 

 

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