The White Sox dealt forgotten man Nate Jones to the Texas Rangers Wednesday for two low-level minor league pitchers before the trade deadline Wednesday.
And with that, the Sox stood pat.
Alex Colome is still the closer, and probably will be next season. First baseman Jose Abreu is the first baseman, and very well could be next season if he re-signs as he hopes to. Other tradeable pieces — outfielder Leury Garcia, lefty relievers Aaron Bummer and Jace Fry and starter Ivan Nova were there for the taking — did not bring offers worth the Sox’ while if they brought any offers at all.
And so the Sox, in year three of the rebuild with an eye on potentially fielding a more competitive team than the 46-58 outfit that had lost 14 of its last 18 games going into their game against the Mets Wednesday night, will move forward with what they have.
In the Jones deal, the Rangers also receive $1 million in needed international bonus pool money and cash considerations from the Sox for the 33-year-old Jones who is on the 60-day injured list.
The Sox received right-handers Ray Castro, 22, and Joseph Jarneski, 19. Jarneski has appeared in 10 games with the Arizona Rookie League Rangers this season, going 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 16 2⁄3 innings. He missed the 2018 season while recovering from right elbow surgery in September 2017.
Castro is 4-0 with a 2.02 ERA in nine appearances (seven starts) this season with the Dominican Summer League Rangers. Jarneski will be assigned to the AZL White Sox, and Castro to the DSL League Sox.
With the deadline passing, it means Colome will close games for the Sox for the rest of the season and probably into next season, his last year under contract control. Colome won’t become a free agent until after the 2020 season, and he was one of the Sox’ valued trade chips.
To no one’s surprise, the Sox also held on to Abreu, whose contract expires after the season. Abreu was rumored to be sought after by the Rays, who acquired first baseman Jesus Aguilar from the Brewers.
Jones, 33, who is on the IL following surgery on his right forearm, has had an injury-plagued career with the Sox and his future with the team had been uncertain. After the Sox picked up the $4.6 million option on his contract in January, Jones appeared in 13 games in March and April, going 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA before getting hurt. He has a $3.75 million option for 2020 with a $1.25 million buyout.
The Rangers need the international bonus money to sign outfielder Bayron Lora, with whom they have agreed to a $4.2 million signing bonus, per Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.
Jones had Tommy John surgery in 2014 and was able to pitch full seasons for the Sox three times over his eight-year career. He went 22-13 with a 3.12 ERA and nine saves over 284 relief appearances as a Sox.
