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Orioles All-Star Adam Jones Talks Leadership, Desire To Speak His Mind

SARASOTA, Fla. (WJZ) -- Orioles spring training continues in Florida.

Sports director Mark Viviano talks to All-Star Adam Jones, who made some controversial comments about the team's off-season moves.

Every major league team hopes spring training is smooth sailing to the season ahead. Orioles outfielder Adam Jones made some comments this week that rocked the boat.

He speaks loudly and carries a big stick. Adam Jones has played seven big league seasons with the O's. That's more than any player on the current roster.

Jones told our media partner, The Baltimore Sun, that he feels his seniority warrants some respect from the Orioles' front office. He expects to be clued in on the direction of the ball club.

"I have feelings how I feel about the organization, about the movement of the organization. I'm here for four more years, so for me to not throw my opinion out there I think is not smart on my behalf," Jones said. "I'm going to make sure the organization--I think they know how I feel--and we're on the same page."

"He's a lot more calculating than people give him credit for, and he's got a stake in this thing, OK? He cares," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "So I'm OK with that. We all do. He wants the Orioles to be good every day. That's why we get along well."

Jones has four years remaining on an $85 million contract, and he puts his money where his mouth is. He will speak his mind.

"I got that from my mother. No, she's not afraid to say anything. I think she definitely passed that on to me, which is a gift and a curse. But I think in my position, how I use it, it's a gift," Jones said.

He speaks with pride and with purpose. Adam Jones is the vocal leader of an Orioles team seeking another division title.

Sports director Mark Viviano will bring us more from Sarasota on Monday as the Orioles get ready for the 2015 season and hopefully another trip to the playoffs.

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