Back, back, back: In nod to Orioles and data, Adam Jones positioning himself deeper

There was nothing ambiguous about this offseason's public conversation between Adam Jones and Dan Duquette.

Jones, the team's All-Star center fielder and franchise face, said the team needed better defenders to fix the team's glaring weakness on the outfield grass. Duquette, supported by data, said the Orioles could improve if Jones simply shifted his positioning and lined up deeper.

Each man's desire was simple, and while some minor additions were made to satisfy Jones' wishes in the form of Craig Gentry and Michael Bourn, Duquette's arrangement won out.

Jones, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, has joined an increasing number of center fielders who are altering their positioning based on…