Nate Jones traded to Rangers

Right-handed reliever Nate Jones, 33, has been traded to the Texas Rangers. Prior to this trade, Jones was the longest tenured member of the White Sox, a title that now belongs to Leury García. This is his eighth season in the major leagues, and he has yet to pitch for another team. Jones has been a reliable reliever throughout his time in the league, boasting a career 3.12 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 3.42 xFIP, 4.9 fWAR, and 6.4 bWAR.

However, Jones has been held back by unfortunate injuries. He has had four surgeries since 2014, and the most recent one is why he is currently inactive. In May, Jones underwent forearm surgery. As a result, he is on the 60-day injured list and will not return for the remainder of the season. Jones has a couple of years left on his contract, as he will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2021 season. However, Jones could become a free agent as early as the upcoming offseason if the Rangers do not pick up his option. The details are as follows:

Baseball-Reference

We wish Jones the best of luck in the future.

While the White Sox saved some money by getting rid of the Jones contract, they gave cash considerations and $1 million in international bonus pool money to the Rangers.

In return for Jones, cash considerations, and international bonus pool money, the White Sox received two right-handed pitching prospects from the Rangers. One of these pitchers is 22-year-old Ray Castro. In 35 ²⁄₃ innings with the DSL Rangers 1, Castro has a 2.02 ERA, 1.065 WHIP, and he has yet to allow a home run. However, the advanced peripherals are not as convinced (3.57 FIP and 4.31 xFIP). The main reasons behind this are his strikeout and walk rates (7.07 K/9, 3.79 BB/9). Castro has appeared in nine games for the DSL Rangers 1, and seven of those were starts.

The other new prospect is 19-year-old Joseph Jarnseki. In 16 ²⁄₃ innings with the AZL Rangers, Jarneski has a 1.62 ERA, 1.140 WHIP, and he allowed zero home runs. Stop me if you have heard this before, but the advanced peripherals suggest that he has had some good fortune (4.50 FIP and 5.67 xFIP). Jarnseki’s walk rate of 5.94 BB/9 will definitely be an issue if it persists, though his strikeout rate (8.64 K/9) is higher than Castro’s. Unlike Castro, Jarneski has only pitched as a reliever this season. Jarneski did not pitch in 2018 due to Tommy John surgery. He had a scoreless debut with the AZL White Sox on Wednesday night.

Update (2:23 p.m. CST): According to T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers will decline Jones’ option, so that part of the deal was to allow the White Sox to dump some salary. Jones will, indeed, be a free agent after this season. So, we’re saying, there’s still hope ...