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Braves Sign Nate Jones To Minors Deal

By Connor Byrne | February 9, 2021 at 5:43pm CDT

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.

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View Comments (61)

Comments

  1. SouthSide Pride 985

    1 year ago

    great sign if he can stay healthy.

    Reply
    • Very Barry

      1 year ago

      You did read the “cut by Cincinnati” part right?

      Reply
      • SoCalBrave

        1 year ago

        You did read where his strikeout% was 26.7, his walk% 7.0 and his BABIP was an incredibly high .400

        Reply
    • SouthSide Pride 985

      1 year ago

      you’re right, God forbid the guy have a bad year in an otherwise productive and serviceable career…

      Reply
  2. bravesfan

    1 year ago

    Can’t complain about this move at all.

    Reply
  3. BravesAbsentGagReflex

    1 year ago

    Great signing. They finally spent money for third base.

    Reply
    • Cohn Joppolella

      1 year ago

      Very relevant observation.

      Reply
    • FredMcGriff for the HOF

      1 year ago

      3rd is Riley’s job to lose.

      Reply
      • Very Barry

        1 year ago

        Braves are gonna need to upgrade third base.

        Reply
        • JAMES JACOBSEN

          1 year ago

          Ya never know Turner, Bryant and Suarez are still out there!

      • MetsFan22

        1 year ago

        Exactly why they need a 3B. Mets could upgrade 3B too. Both teams aren’t great in that area.

        Reply
        • SalaryCapMyth

          1 year ago

          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.

        • JAMES JACOBSEN

          1 year ago

          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

        • Appalachian_Outlaw

          1 year ago

          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.

  4. chippahawk

    1 year ago

    Good to see AA isn’t done yet, Wonder if he was holding out on Duvall’s market a bit..

    Reply
    • bravesiowafan

      1 year ago

      I’d take kakes any day over Duvall

      Reply
      • BravesSteelersCle

        1 year ago

        Duvall just signed with Marlins. That sucks.

        Reply
      • chippahawk

        1 year ago

        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?

        Reply
        • black69

          1 year ago

          Markakis isnt 1/3 the fielder Duvall is.

      • Appalachian_Outlaw

        1 year ago

        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.

        Reply
  5. bravesfan28

    1 year ago

    Good move, solid pitcher. Time to go after Josh Reddick/Brian Goodwin

    Reply
    • bravesfan

      1 year ago

      You mean Nick markasis right? Lol

      Reply
      • MasterCal

        1 year ago

        They probably want someone who can be a defensive sub for Ozuna

        Reply
        • JAMES JACOBSEN

          1 year ago

          Thats probably Inciarte for now

  6. tdotjays

    1 year ago

    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.

    Reply
    • MasterCal

      1 year ago

      Injury history too, dont forget that

      Reply
      • RunDMC

        1 year ago

        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.

        Reply
    • Jeff Zanghi

      1 year ago

      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.

      Reply
      • black69

        1 year ago

        There’s also nothing saying he didn’t have 22 minor league offers and chose the Braves because of a situation.

        Reply
    • Play the Game

      1 year ago

      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.

      Reply
    • maximumvelocity

      1 year ago

      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.

      Reply
  7. Dotnet22

    1 year ago

    Who?????…….Nate Jones.

    Reply
  8. MetsFan22

    1 year ago

    We’re doomed lol!

    Reply
    • RunDMC

      1 year ago

      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)

      Reply
      • MetsFan22

        1 year ago

        That’s great. But may is actually going in the right direction…

        Reply
        • RunDMC

          1 year ago

          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.

        • MetsFan22

          1 year ago

          When our owner makes your team look poor it doesn’t matter.

        • RunDMC

          1 year ago

          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.

        • MetsFan22

          1 year ago

          Nate Jones will not put up similar numbers to may. Both going in different directions.

        • JAMES JACOBSEN

          1 year ago

          Anything to keep L Jackson and Chad Sobotka off the mound, But he sounds like a good gamble

      • maximumvelocity

        1 year ago

        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.

        Reply
        • DTDATL

          1 year ago

          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?

        • black69

          1 year ago

          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.

    • bravesiowafan

      1 year ago

      Everybody has already been telling you that

      Reply
      • MetsFan22

        1 year ago

        Lol that was good

        Reply
    • DTDATL

      1 year ago

      Someone is still upset Bauer decided to join a legit team.

      Reply
      • MetsFan22

        1 year ago

        Nate Jones didn’t.

        Reply
        • DTDATL

          1 year ago

          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.

        • JAMES JACOBSEN

          1 year ago

          That had to hurt, ouch!

        • black69

          1 year ago

          Damn bro. You need a salve?

  9. Ducky Buckin Fent

    1 year ago

    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.

    Reply
    • stymeedone

      1 year ago

      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.

      Reply
  10. PadresFan19

    1 year ago

    Future GOAT

    Reply
  11. pappyvw

    1 year ago

    The guy is good. Nice sign.

    Reply
  12. stugots

    1 year ago

    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

    Reply
    • JAMES JACOBSEN

      1 year ago

      Depth

      Reply
    • FredMcGriff for the HOF

      1 year ago

      I’d like to see Melancon or Greene back. Both preferably.

      Reply
    • TmanTheGoat

      1 year ago

      It’s a minor league deal, so it literally won’t hurt the braves or any other signing they could do

      Reply
    • DTDATL

      1 year ago

      It’s a minor league deal. Step back from the ledge.

      Reply
  13. Mrtwotone

    1 year ago

    Dumpster Divin` Anthopoulos!

    (Kidding)

    Reply
  14. chop246

    1 year ago

    As long as they don’t put him in against the Cards. He should be ok..

    Reply

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