The Rangers announced that they’ve acquired right-hander Nate Jones, international bonus allotments and cash from the White Sox in exchange for minor league right-handers Joe Jarneski and Ray Castro.
It’s an unexpected swap, as Jones landed on the 60-day IL earlier this summer after undergoing right forearm surgery. However, Texas will have a $3.75MM option on Jones for the 2020 season and a $4.25MM option on him for the 2021 campaign. Both of those come with a $1.25MM buyout, so the option on Jones this winter is effectively a net $2.5MM decision.
For Jones, that’s an eminently affordable price. The 33-year-old could very well be regarded as one of the game’s better relievers … if he were ever able to stay on the field. Injuries have decimated the right-hander, though, as evidenced by the fact that he’s topped 30 innings just once dating back to the 2015 season. Lack of durability notwithstanding, Jones has also pitched to a 2.67 ERA with 10.4 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and 1.2 HR/9 over his past 141 2/3 big league frames. If — and it’s a substantial “if” — he can remain healthy, he’d be a boon to the Texas relief corps.
With Texas eyeing a competitive 2020 campaign, it’s not a shock to see them proactively adding some potential contributors. At the same time, if Jones’ recovery isn’t progressing as hoped, the Rangers can pivot and buy out his option, knowing that they still picked up some value with the international funds included by the South Siders.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweets that Texas will pick up $1MM in international allotments, which is a fairly notable sum to change hands on the trade market. International allotments must be traded in blocks of $250K, but it’s more common for clubs to exchange $250-500K than to make seven-figure swaps. That newly acquired pool space will allow the club to finalize its signing of top international prospect Bayron Lora, tweets T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com; Lora ranked as the market’s No. 3 prospect this signing period, per MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez.
As for the ChiSox, they’ll bid adieu to one of the organization’s longest-tenured players. While they’re including some cash in the deal, Grant implies that the buyout on the option would be the Rangers’ responsibility, so the Sox are still saving a bit of money. They’re also adding a pair of young righties who’ve spent the season pitching in Rookie ball.
Jarneski, 19, was the Rangers’ 12th-round pick in 2017 and has returned to the field in 2019 after missing the ’18 season due to injury. He’s made 10 appearances and posted a 1.62 ERA with a 16-to-11 K/BB ratio in 16 2/3 innings in the Arizona League. Castro, 22, is in his second season with the Dominican Summer League, having pitched to a 2.02 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 35 1/3 innings. He’s old for the level at which he’s currently pitching, though. Neither is considered to be among the Rangers’ best farmhands.
Woooo!!! 4 hours to go, here come the blockbusters!!
I do not if this trade makes sense for the Rangers. He will not be able to pitch this year. But, next season he will be able to pitch. I do not know what to think about this trade. Hopefully, it work out for the Rangers.
While he’s the player don’t forget the 1M Intl slot. The rangers are big in the INTL market and 1M is a ton to spend especially if they are eyes one of the big prospects next signing year. Neither was considering big on our radar so it’s a gamble on Jones, big slot boost, and some cash relief to make Jones even cheaper.
A bit of a risk but a solid move for a couple arms who weren’t on the top of the radar
If recent history is any guide, he probably won;t be able to pitch next year either.
Interesting
My Fave WhiteSox Reliver, gone. Very unexpected
Nate injured most every year. Shame.
Sad day if Nate Jones is your favorite. Goes to show how weak your team is
Who says your favorite player has to be the best player on the team?
The only thing “weak” is your baseball knowledge.
ChiSoxCity i really hit a cord there! So sorry to hurt your feelings
My favorite Sox player growing up was Pete Ward. He hit a HR off Denny McLain in my first game I ever went to and became my favorite player. My daughters favorite player was Kevin Orie because at her first game he gave her an autograph.
Good move.
Keep Colome now!
He’s going to LA
No. Get rid of Colome while you can. He’s expensive and his metrics say he’s due for a regression.
lol
“it’s an unexpected swap”. And that’s starting to be expected.
An Unexpected Swap: A Lifetime Original Movie
4 hours until the deadline and the biggest name acquired by a postseason contender is Yasiel Puig, who was an ancillary player in a 7 player trade
great move by the rangers a potential good major league reliever for a 21 year old in dsl and a 19 year old who is also not on many radars.
also got quite a bit of int money out of it
I would get to excited…he’s averaged 18 innings a year for the last 3 years and probably as many surgeries.
most exciting part is the money… but if he can come back that just makes it better. looking at the prospects given up I don’t mind this at all from the rangers standpoint
Rangers go from a good trade last night it a puzzling one this morning…..more injured pitchers, that’s the Rangers MO
it is a great move. those are no name prospect that could have been traded for the int money alone
Exactly
Wow – can’t believe the Sox actually got someone from Nate… I liked him but he simply was not reliable and I had actually given up on him. Jarneski at least is young and seems to be a legitimate lottery ticket.
it is the 1 million dollar int money that got you something
Yeah – probably true.
Sox gave up more than they received. Two minor leaguers who will amount to nothing. Plus they gave up $1-million in Int’l bonus money. Another boneheaded move from the Sox.
They should not be parting with money that be better served in signing a top Int’l player.
Sox should have just released Jones…
I think CWS still have quite a bit of $ left for int’l signings, and most of the top talent for this signing season is already gone. It seems like Marco Paddy should be more competative for better int’l players. It looks like they had nowhere else to put the int’l money. (Yiddi Cappe?)
Is that really your name?
Yes, I come from a circus family with a crazy sense of humor. Chode was just mean though.
Should open the floodgates now. Green, Diaz, and Vazquez next.
As a hard-core Hahn critic, I have to give him props for this one. Why would anyone want Nate “Glass” Jones
Still a fool to keep Colome though.
It’s gotta be for the int’l money of 1MM so that the Rangers can sign the 3rd ranked int’l prospect in Lora. Taking on Jones was part of the deal.
and it’s not like he is super expensive either…
It’s no risk for Texas. That’s why.
A “Hahn critique”? Really? What could you possibly criticize him for, considering who he works for? Hahn is the ONLY reason the White Sox decided to rebuild one of the worst farm systems in the league. That means no more $100MM rosters wasted on Jimmy Rollins and James Shield. In a few years they’ll have the most talented roster in baseball.
Hahn was the GM who acquired both Rollins and Shields.
I find it curious how people continue this narrative that KW was behind every single move until through the Shields trade, but somehow believe Hahn finally took over afterward.
Hahn has made a few solid trades for prospects, but his draft strategy, player development track-record and pro-scouting record all deserve scrutiny.
Also Hahn was not any reason the Sox decided to rebuild, let alone the ONLY reason. Kenny, with Jerrys okie-doke, traded Sale and Eaton for reasons other than rebuild.
Cheap move by White Sox Ownership. Save $1.25M on Jones’ 2020 Buyout while simultaneously not spending an additional $1.0M on International Free Agents. All for 2 pitchers far from Big League Ready.
Getting cheap on acquiring amateur talent & dumping a dead contract to do it? All this after they acquired Machado’s cousin & signed his pal Jon Jay to hopefully lure Manny to the South Side?
Great move by the Rangers. After they sign Lora & Maximo Acosta will have an additional $650K to throw around, potentially more.
“Far from big league ready”… More like never big league ready. These guys are little more than org filler.
Outside of the Blue Jays sending Alex Rios to the White Sox yrs ago in the waiver claim, this is the most obviously go cheap move I’ve seen by a team in a couple years. Didn’t even get a legitimate prospect back for $1M in pool money.
This is more about the 40 man roster and protecting guys in the Rule 5 draft. They currently sit at 39, but Kopech, Rodon, and Burr are all on the 60 day IL so do not count now, but will have to be on the 40 man roster come November. They only have 3 pending free agents – Abreu, Jay, and Nova, so that puts the 40 man back at 39, but some prospects who are aging into the Rule 5 draft will need to be added to be protected.
Of course, The 40 man also includes dead wood like Palka, Engel, Cordell, Tilson, Reed, and Goins who could be dropped of off it, I think via DFA.
I would offer that a sound organization makes financial decisions based on current realities and future planning as opposed to Blinging-Out and making crazy money bets.
The Machado deal was padded with incentives to protect the organization’s investment and grant him the possibility to make potentially even more money. That’s not being cheap. It’s called business. Take a class.
Hahn is a idiot giving up the international money. The White Sox are run with nothing but saving money in mind.
It’s not an idiot move by Hahn. Jones’ days in a White Sox uniform are over so send him to a team and give them money to take on or opt of the remainder of his contract while bringing in two guys to fill in spots on an A or AA team with potential to hit big if they develop in our system.
Training staff needed a break. Best of luck to an injury prone pitcher
WTF is Marco Paddy doing down there!? Sox were in the penalty after signing Robert and they’re trading away 20% of their J2 $ the first year back?
So you think this is a bad deal? Do you not like the return?
I’m impressed by your otherworldly ability to parse through cryptic and nuanced text and find the true meaning. Well done, Mr. Velo.
Do you feel better now? Was a simple question, goodness.
What do you think of the return?
My response wasn’t meant to be snarky. I legitimately got a kick out of your comment.
My honest assessment of the trade is that it never should have been possible for the Sox to make because a good club would have spent the last 2 years finding a promising J2 kid to spend that $ on. If anything, they should be acquiring $ in an effort to sign Yiddi Cape.
Got it.
Reinsdorf doesn’t want spend, he wants to save…
Pretty sure this is not the first year out of the penalty enforcement as they just signed a bunch of talent recently (including Tatis’s brother). My guess is they had spare funds left over they were not using.
As for Jones, let someone think they got a good deal for a guy that may never come back, or at least come back long enough to get hurt again for another season..
Fun fact-before this trade, Nate Jones was the longest tenured White Sox player.
I imagine this move helps Texas finally seal the Bayron Lora deal while also giving us a potentially strong bullpen arm in the future. Nice deal
Too bad Nate Jones had a series of injuries. He had some electric stuff and was fun to watch. Wish him the best.
surpsied the White Sox couldnt gets someone besides a a few wild cards if Martin got Allard. Absolute steal in that regard for Texas.
Not bad. Theyre buying low for next year. Could pay dividends
I’ve never seen a pitcher that has less of an idea where the ball is going to go when he releases it. He has great stuff (when healthy), but he has no clue where it’s going.
Steve, I’m not sure about the characterization of this winter’s decision as a net $2.5MM decision. Yes, the cost of opting out is $1.25MM and the cost of exercising the option is $3.75MM. But if the Rangers exercise the option, the buyout for the following season comes into play. I think you have to factor that buyout into the cost of exercising this year’s option. If they exercise the option, the minimum they will be on the hook for is the $3.75MM salary plus the following $1.25MM buyout. The cost of exercising the option is $5MM, so I think a better analysis is that the net decision is $3.75MM.
The 3 best things about the White Sox are they aren’t the Cubs, they roll over for the Twins and Ozzie Guillen was their manager. I’m so glad Harrelson is gone. Now, if they could just stop Frank Thomas doing those disgusting commercials for fitness supplements.