The Braves have signed free-agent reliever Nate Jones to a minor league contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets. Jones will be in major league camp.
Now 35 years old, the right-handed Jones thrived out of the White Sox’s bullpen earlier in his career, but injuries knocked him off course a few seasons ago. Jones combined for just 52 innings from 2017-19 because of multiple arm problems. The White Sox traded Jones to the Rangers in late 2019, but he never pitched for Texas.
Jones landed on his feet with the Reds last offseason on a minor league contract, and while he did make their roster and total 18 2/3 innings, his run prevention numbers mostly fell well shy of his past output. After he recorded a woeful 6.27 ERA, the Reds released him in late September.
To Jones’ credit, he did post a much more encouraging 3.56 SIERA in Cincinnati, average 96 mph on his fastball and log impressive strikeout and walk percentages of 26.7 and 7.0, respectively. It didn’t help Jones’ cause that hitters victimized him for a .400 batting average on balls in play, but if he gets back to the majors and that figure returns closer to his career mark (.302), he could be a useful pickup for the Braves.
great sign if he can stay healthy.
You did read the “cut by Cincinnati” part right?
You did read where his strikeout% was 26.7, his walk% 7.0 and his BABIP was an incredibly high .400
you’re right, God forbid the guy have a bad year in an otherwise productive and serviceable career…
Can’t complain about this move at all.
Great signing. They finally spent money for third base.
Very relevant observation.
3rd is Riley’s job to lose.
Braves are gonna need to upgrade third base.
Ya never know Turner, Bryant and Suarez are still out there!
Exactly why they need a 3B. Mets could upgrade 3B too. Both teams aren’t great in that area.
Yep. I was disappointed that the Braves decided they were going to continue on with Riley as their regular 3B. I’m not ready to give up on the kid. He’s young and I would like to see if he can develop but I also don’t think he is ready for the starting job.
Both Riley and Camargo are hard to let go. Riley has a better power potential and Camargo has better defense, can play anywhere and has a better arm. Ive heard others mention that Riley might play a better 1rst. I think Camargo needs an every day position. They both need to get help with there hitting
I’d have zero issues if they moved on from Camargo. I just don’t see what others see in him. He’s an Utility player that had a decent year once.
Good to see AA isn’t done yet, Wonder if he was holding out on Duvall’s market a bit..
I’d take kakes any day over Duvall
Duvall just signed with Marlins. That sucks.
Kakes has the situional hitting thing while Duvall can put you ahead or win you a game in an instant. Both of their defense is great but both are getting longer in the tooth, esp kakes.
Would really love to see a future coaching staff consisted of smoltz, glavine, chipper, Eddie p, Ross, prado, and kakes! A guy can still dream right?
Markakis isnt 1/3 the fielder Duvall is.
Duvall is signed in Miami, so moot point here- but I’d rather have had Duvall. Nick is starting to look a little overmatched at times. He’s on the edge of that cliff.
Good move, solid pitcher. Time to go after Josh Reddick/Brian Goodwin
You mean Nick markasis right? Lol
They probably want someone who can be a defensive sub for Ozuna
Thats probably Inciarte for now
It’s interesting how fragile the relief market can be. Nate Jones was an awesome pitcher up until last year. Career ERA+ of 128, with a score of 135 as recently as 2019. But one poor season and all he could muster is a minor league deal. Tough, real tough. Good pick up for the Braves. Even at the age of 34 he is a good bounce back candidate. That funky delivery alone is worth taking a flyer on.
Injury history too, dont forget that
That’s what ATL is reminding everyone as they get him to sign on the dotted line. As other teams back away, they benefit from a lack of offers because of injury questions and won’t risk measly minor-league deals. Tyler Matzek was worse, having not pitched in MLB since 2015 (COL) because of the yips, but in 2020, he was one of the most reliable arms in the 4th-rated MLB bullpen with an incredible showing in the playoffs.
Anyone saying anything negative about these types of deals are just showing why they aren’t collecting their paycheck from a team.
I mean I think his lack of market is more due to the fact that he hasn’t really had a full healthy season since 2016… and when he was finally finally last year he wasn’t as productive. having said that though… if healthy this year in think this could prove to be a great bargain signing. I think he pitched better than his numbers indicated last year and could rebound strong this season if he can stay on the field.
There’s also nothing saying he didn’t have 22 minor league offers and chose the Braves because of a situation.
He was never healthy long enough to ever be great. WhiteSox wasted a lot of money on this guy. He had 1 decent year. He was always hurt and the Dox always resigned him.
He wasn’t that great, largely because he was never healthy.
Best ability is availability, and Jones has rarely provided it. Great stuff is worthless if the player can’t stay on the mound to use it.
Who?????…….Nate Jones.
We’re doomed lol!
Player A (career): 95 ERA+, 3.65 FiP, 10.5 SO/9 in 316 IP
Player B (career): 128 ERA+, 3.54 FiP, 9.9 SO/9 in 310 IP
.
.
.
.
Player A is Trevor May (2021 salary: $7.75 million)
Player B is Nate Jones (2021 salary: minor-league deal)
That’s great. But may is actually going in the right direction…
For $7.75M, I’d hope he knows how to find Citi Field or just off the 7 if he really wants to pinch those pennies.
Seriously though, AA took the same chance on Matzek and look how that turned out. ATL seems to have 2-3 of those every year, while NYM has to overpay to get similar results.
When our owner makes your team look poor it doesn’t matter.
I see we’ve gotten to the “my dad makes more money than your dad” part of the convo. You’re cute. I hope occasionally Cohen will throw you a scrap from the table, but please tell him to keep the loaded nachos at $13.
Nate Jones will not put up similar numbers to may. Both going in different directions.
Anything to keep L Jackson and Chad Sobotka off the mound, But he sounds like a good gamble
Trevor May pitched in 24 games last season – a shortened one.
Nate Jones has pitched in 24 or more games twice in the past seven years.
A warm body is better than a broken one in sports.
MaxVelo, one is making significant money while the other is cheap minor league depth who has shown he’s legit when healthy. So tell me, which player is the real risk?
And sometimes the roulette wheel off the DL can pay dividends.
No one signed this dude to start game 1 or close the 9th inning of game 7. This is good.
Everybody has already been telling you that
Lol that was good
Someone is still upset Bauer decided to join a legit team.
Nate Jones didn’t.
Nah, just a team that has won the division 3 yrs straight and was a win away from the WS. Let me know when your team does something besides spend money and disappoint.
That had to hurt, ouch!
Damn bro. You need a salve?
Pretty good bounce back candidate, man.
Excellent track record. Seems injury free. Peripherals check out.
I was pretty interested in this guy for the Yanks. This could be a really, really good MiLB deal.
Every time he signs he’s injury free. Its only when you expect him to pitch, that he isn’t. The moment the Braves call him up, he’ll go on the injured list.
Future GOAT
The guy is good. Nice sign.
Don’t understand why aa would sign Jones.
Sure he’s cheapest and if pitches like he did with Wsox be great move. But Jones comes with health risk and braves are trying win WS and Ozuna gives the team a discount for the 1st yr at $12mill. Greene and the Shark are still out there and don’t come with health risk. Now what happens if jones and Martin go on the IR. Guess when aa says he can shop at any aisle he meant the dollar tree Just saying
Depth
I’d like to see Melancon or Greene back. Both preferably.
It’s a minor league deal, so it literally won’t hurt the braves or any other signing they could do
It’s a minor league deal. Step back from the ledge.
Dumpster Divin` Anthopoulos!
(Kidding)
As long as they don’t put him in against the Cards. He should be ok..