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Padres place Nova on waivers

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Via Ken Rosenthal, the Padres have placed righty Ivan Nova on outright waivers (as well as lefty Justin Hampson) after he posted an 8.31 ERA and 3-4 K/BB ratio in 8.2 IP this spring. Nova was selected from the Yanks in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft, so he would have had to stuck on the Pads’ 25-man roster all season for them to keep him. If no other team claims Nova, he’ll be offered back to the Yanks for half of the $50,000 R5D fee. I think it’s safe to say Nova will be coming back. I mean if the Padres couldn’t find room for him on their staff, no team will. (h/t pat for the email)

Elsewhere in Rule 5 news, Brian Cashman wouldn’t comment on the rumor that Jason Jones was placed on waivers by the Twins, cleared, and has been offered back to the Yanks. Jones had a 2.70 ERA in 10 IP this spring, and as you probably remember he had some unkind words for the organization last month. The Yankees have more arms than spots available in Triple-A and Double-A, so I suspect they’ll just thank the Twinkies for the $50k and let them keep Mr. Jones.

Update (1:24pm): The Yanks acquired righty reliever Charles Nolte from the Twins for the right to keep Jones today. Nolte had a 2.05 ERA and a 75-35 K/BB ratio in 70.1 IP with Low-A Beloit last year. He was the Twins 24th round pick in 2007. (h/t Marc)

Jason Jones has some harsh words for the Yanks

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Via Mike Ashmore, current Twin and ex-Yank Jason Jones had some mighty big words for his former organization. From the Pioneer Press:

Trouble is, as much as he welcomed the thought of being a Yankee, they never seemed particularly interested in welcoming him. He shared a spring training locker room with guys who worked for the same organization, but he had a difficult time thinking of them as teammates.

“That’s how I would describe it — you just don’t feel like a part of the team. There are the veterans — the superstars — and then the rest of the guys,” said Jones, who was drafted by New York in the fourth round in 2004. “Here, there are superstars too, but it feels a lot more like we’re a team. It’s a lot better chemistry.”

[snip]

“I don’t think I ever talked to (Yankees GM Brian) Cashman, other than ‘hi’ and ‘bye’ a couple of times.”

As the article mentions, Jones was the Yanks’ fourth round pick back in 2004, signing for a $245,000 bonus. I’m kind of surprised about this little mini-outburst, but what can you do. Jones averaged just about 140 IP and a 3.44 ERA over the last four years, mostly in Double-A, but the fact of the matter is that he was stuck behind bigger names and better talent.  Such is the life of a middling Yankees prospect.

Update by Ben (5:11 p.m.): I just wanted to add a quick note about this development. Jones was a Rule V draft choice by the Twins a few months ago. If Minnesota opts not to keep him on their Major League roster and cannot create an injury him, they will have to offer to return him to the Yanks. The Yanks could then choose to trade him to Minnesota. Right now, Jones is in the process of creating a very awkward situation for himself, especially if he winds up back in the Yankee organization.