AUG. 22: The Yankees have unconditionally released Jones, per GreedyPinstripes.com (via Twitter).
AUG. 12: The Yankees announced on Wednesday that first baseman/outfielder Garrett Jones has been designated for assignment in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Chris Capuano, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Additionally, the Yankees optioned righty Branden Pinder to Triple-A and recalled fellow righty Nick Goody.
This marks the second time this season that Jones, 34, has been designated for assignment by the Yankees. Acquired alongside Nathan Eovaldi in the trade that sent Martin Prado to the Marlins, Jones has batted just .215/.257/.361 with five homers in 152 plate appearances — his lightest production since a cameo with the Twins as a 26-year-old rookie in 2007.
Jones was initially designated for assignment to clear a spot on the roster for trade acquisition Dustin Ackley, but he was quickly released and re-signed to a big league deal afer Ackley landed on the disabled list.
Though his production this year has been unimpressive, Jones does have a history of solid offensive output. He batted .254/.316/.453 with 115 homers in 823 games for the Pirates and Marlins from 2009-14, and he’s a lifetime .265/.330/.473 hitter versus right-handed pitching.
Jones doesn’t appear likely to remain with the Yankees. He told MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch that it’d be difficult to remain with the team, as he’s hoping to find an opportunity to pick up more playing time (Twitter link). Jones could be a fit for a team with a need at first base or in right field, though he comes with notable platoon splits and grades out as a poor defender at both spots.
Don’t like this move at all
I meant bringing back Capuano, I understand the bullpen needs someone who can throw a couple of innings but Capuano has been a disaster
For the second time in less than two weeks. Weird he decided to re-sign with the Yankees after the first time he was DFA’d.
I hope he lands somewhere. I’ll always have love in my heart for GFJ.
What is it going to take for Capuano to be gone for good from the Yankees? Cashman better not re-signed him or Drew next off-season. Ryan has a player’s option that he can pick up for $1M.
Jones is literally their least important bench piece as things sit, he was going to be the one to go. After last night’s game, the pen is really thin and they absolutely needed someone there who can give length if they face the very real possibility of CC not giving them length, and it’s usually not a good idea to abuse pitchers in your system that you actually care about by using them in a mop-up role.It’s not as if Cap is coming to fill a high-leverage role or anything. I do hope Jones finds a place where he gets playing time and has a real role, but this is a logical move for this team, don’t get the backlash over it.
The Cardinals could have kept Kaminsky and just picked up Jones.. Moss is having a bit better season but he has had 3X the at bats.. Jones has been a bit better the last couple of years.. Giving up a very good prospect like Kaminsky for a platoon bat when there was other options that would have cost far less out there isn’t usually the Cardinals way.. Had they waited 2 weeks they could have picked up Jones for nothing more than the pro rated league minimum..
How were they supposed to know the Yankees would DFA Jones 2 weeks later? They had Astros secrets, not Yankees.
The writing has been on the wall for Jones in New York for quite some time.. He was brought in to be a DH in case A-Rod flopped on his comeback and as a reliable backup for Teixeira.. The way the Yankees have promoted their youngsters this year it was a given that Bird would be up sometime.. After the season he has had so far in the minors had Teixeira gone down with an injury Bird would surely have been his replacement.. You don’t need “secrets” to see what was going on with Jones.. Then again since Bird isn’t a Cubs prospect I am sure you think he will flop..