UPDATE: From Barry … Jones went 11-8 with a 3.72 ERA at three minor league levels and had come a long way, Bowden said. But he blew out his knee playing basketball this winter. A shame, really.
Barry Svrluga has the notes in his latest blog posting.
The Nats took two players — pitchers Justin Jones and Billy Traber — and unconditionally released them, creating more space on the 40-man roster. They have four open spots
Both Jones and Traber are left-handers. Traber is more of a LOOGY at this point in his career while Jones (who was grabbed in the minor league portion of the 2006 Rule 5 draft) was a candidate for the starting rotation in Harrisburg.
Traber split time between Triple-A Columbus and Washington in 2007, throwing almost an identical 40 innings at each level (40 1/3 in Columbus & 39 2/3 in Washington). He is a soft-tossing lefty and the Nats had given him several chances with mixed results.
Jones is another soft-tosser who came on as a starting pitcher as the season progressed in Potomac. The 23-year old was a long shot for anything more than perhaps a spot start in 2008 but the Nats apparently decided the roster spot was more valuable than hanging onto Jones.
As Barry mentioned, the Nationals are at 36/40.
Additionally, Barry commented …
The consensus in the industry is that this is a weak Rule 5 crop — not like last year, when Washington took both Jesus Flores and Levale Speigner. Depending on how it goes above them, the Nationals could sit this one out.
I’ll grant Flores as a strong Rule 5 pick but have to quibble with Speigner. As for the overall strength of the Rule 5 draft, I don’t necessarily believe this draft is significantly weaker than the 2006 version and I would hazard a guess the Nationals make at least one selection.
Andrew S | 05-Dec-07 at 6:56 pm | Permalink
Justin Jones blew out his knee. Thats why he was released.
Ryan Sullivan | 05-Dec-07 at 7:36 pm | Permalink
Brian-
I hadn’t heard about the knee, but even so, wouldn’t you drop O’Connor off the 40-man before J. Jones? Timing seems strange, and Jones over O’Connor seems even more peculiar…
And I am looking forward to your official pick(s) for the Rule 5 tomorrow-
Fernando | 05-Dec-07 at 8:13 pm | Permalink
Don’t understand the Jones release at all.
Hope they resign him to a minor league contract. We still need some depth in the infield and in terms of pitching …
hartmanbirge | 05-Dec-07 at 11:39 pm | Permalink
Can anyone tell me why O’Connor is still on the roster?
Will | 06-Dec-07 at 9:08 am | Permalink
Did Jones blow out his knee after the season? Reason I ask is at the end of the 07 season, when he was in Harrisburg, he seemed fine. He even pitched the final week of the season with no sign of any injury.
O’connor does seem like a better choice to be released.
Brian Oliver | 06-Dec-07 at 9:15 am | Permalink
Will - Jones blew out his knee playing basketball this offseason. Reports are he will miss the entire 2008 season. That’s the reason he was released, the Nats did not believe a 40-man spot was warranted for Jones given the circumstances. I’d imagine they’ll make him a minor league offer.
Brian Oliver | 06-Dec-07 at 9:17 am | Permalink
hartmanbirge - Because there is no reason to dump him right now. The Nationals are currently at 36/40 and they may believe that Mike’s lost 2007 was more a function of his injury. I’d guess if they use up the other four spots and need another, they could consider releasing Mike.
Will | 07-Dec-07 at 8:58 am | Permalink
Brian, thanks for the update on Jones. Hopefully they resign him as long as he can get healthy