Police: Andruw Jones was 'dazed'

THE WIFE of former Atlanta Braves star Andruw Jones accused him of dragging her down a staircase, grabbing her neck and saying he wanted to kill her, according to police.

A police report obtained by the Associated Press said the fight happened around 1:30 a.m. on Christmas Day, after Nicole Jones asked her husband to help her prepare their suburban Atlanta home for Christmas morning.

Andruw Jones was free on bond after his arrest on a battery charge, according to Gwinnett County Jail records. It wasn't known Wednesday whether he has an attorney.

Nicole Jones told officers that she tried to escape upstairs, but her husband grabbed her by the ankle and dragged her down some stairs, got on top of her and said, "I want to kill you," according to the report.

"Due to Andruw's level of intoxication, Nicole said that she was able to push him back and move away from him," the report states. Nicole Jones then went to her parents' house.

Police said they found injuries on her neck, which they photographed for evidence.

When officers arrived at the Jones residence in the Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth, they said he appeared confused about what had happened. "We entered into the bedroom and announced 'Gwinnett County police,' " an officer wrote in the report.

"Andruw did not respond and it appeared as though he was passed out in his clothes," the officer wrote. "I touched Andruw on the arm and said 'Gwinnett County police, Andruw, we need to speak with you.' Andruw woke up and appeared dazed. He appeared heavily intoxicated and confused about why officers were standing in his bedroom."

Boston completed the deal with Pittsburgh for righthanded closer Joel Hanrahan. The Red Sox, who also received infielder Brock Holt, gave up righthanders Mark Melancon and Stolmy Pimentel, infielder Ivan DeJesus Jr. and first baseman-outfielder Jerry Sands. Boston also announced the signing of free agent shortstop Stephen Drew under a 1-year, $9.5 million deal.

The acquisition of Drew and Hanrahan are the latest in a series of moves designed to improve on a 69-93 record and a last-place finish in the AL East. The Red Sox already have obtained righthanders Ryan Dempster and Koji Uehara, outfielders Shane Victorino and Johnny Gomes and catcher David Ross.

* The Seattle Mariners officially announced their $2.75 million, 1-year deal with outfielder Raul Ibanez. Seattle confirmed an agreement with Ibanez over the weekend but needed to clear a roster spot before making the transaction official.

The deal allows Ibanez to earn an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses. This will be his third stint with the Mariners.

* The Texas Rangers completed a 1-year contract with free agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski.

Manager Ron Washington said Pierzynski will be the primary catcher, pushing Geovany Soto to the backup role after he re-signed as a free agent. Pierzynski hit .278 with a career-high 27 home runs in 135 games for the Chicago White Sox, while Soto took a pay cut after hitting .196 in 47 games following a trade with the Chicago Cubs.