Shocker! The Twins are active in the Rule 5 draft.
Posted on December 11th, 2008 – 11:23 AMBy La Velle
The Twins have just selected righthander Jason Jones fron the Yankees organization in the major league phase of today’s Rule 5 draft.
Jones was 13-7 with a 3.33 ERA in 25 starts at Class AA last season and 0-1, 2,38 in two starts at Class AAA. Check here for the rest of his vitals.
Jones will have to remain on the major league roster all season or be offered back to the Yankees, The Twins do have the option of swinging a deal to keep his rights if they want to send him to the minors.
I know nothing about this man, since he just came into my life. This is something I found on him right off the bat.
The Twins lost pitcher Jose Lugo to the A’s Royals with the 12th overall pick.
The minor league phase has just begun. Check here for more later.
Update: The Twins have taken righthander Henry Arias in the Class AAA phase of the draft.
Update: Wow. Frank Robinson just walked by….
101 Responses to "Shocker! The Twins are active in the Rule 5 draft."
[…] Twins Insider – […]
First (by the way what is with the startribune ‘comments’ ?)
Surprising the Yankees let a guy like this go, when they could have put him on the 40 man. Instead they are overpaying for pitching (again). The Twins should try and keep a guy like this if his stats hold up. He may contribute, or could be offered as a pitcher in a trade. Not bad.
[…] To The Twins By thunderbaseball The Minnesota Twins have selected Jason Jones in the Rule 5 […]
This is a bit interesting… the least the Twins need is more minor league pitching and now they got 2 more…
After reading the little report on him that LENIII posted, I like him more and more. Seems to be a control type - we are pretty good at building those.
I will turn this kid into another Johan Santana!
Pohlad sucks and so does Bill Smith! The great fans of this team deserve something. We have put up the money for this stadium and all we get are rule 5 draft guys. Spend some money and realize you will have to trade a pitcher to get some help in the infield!
Thry - I have a feeling they are gearing up to trade some of that surplus of pitching for some needed help; they’ll need to stock up again 
The site that Mr. Neal linked to is mine…I’m one of the Trenton beat writers and have covered JJ for a while now.
He’s a great guy off the field who is a consistent pitcher on it. Doesn’t throw particularly hard (high 80’s to low 90’s) and relies a lot on his split-finger fastball.
Here’s an “getting to know style” interview with him: http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/getting-to-know-jason-jones/
And there are videos of him pitching on the site as well. Hope this helps you guys learn more about him.
You’re getting a pretty good pitcher and a great individual.
I would rather they got a great pitcher who’s a pretty good individual.
thrylos98,
Almost all picks in the MLB portion are pitchers, because no one can afford to keep a position player on their 25-man roster all year who will not contribute.
A 12th pitcher who pitches in blow-outs is less damaging.
The Twins are sticking to what they know best.
Thanks Mr. Ashmore, I hope we end up trading some of our guys so he can make it happen as a middle reliever/5th starter with us in the bigs
My thought on the rule 5 draft Twins don’t need pitchers they need infield depth we have a weak infield depth in the minors because one can’t produce the numbers to get in the major leagues.
Major League Portion of Rule V Draft
Morlan picked 16th by the Brewers
1 Terrell Young RHP Washington Cincinnati Sarasota
2 Reegie Corona INF Seattle New York (AL) Trenton
3 Everth Cabrera SS San Diego Colorado Asheville
4 Donald Veal LHP Pittsburgh Chicago (NL) Tennessee
5 Lou Palmisano C Baltimore Milwaukee Brevard County
6 Luis Perdomo RHP San Francisco St. Louis Springfield
7 David Patton RHP Cincinnati Colorado Modesto
8 Kyle Bloom LHP Detroit Pittsburgh Altoona
9 Jose Lugo LHP Kansas City Minnesota Ft. Myers
10 Benjamin Copeland CF Oakland San Francisco Fresno
11 James Skelton C Arizona Detroit Erie
12 Zachary Kroenke LHP Florida New York (AL) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
13 Gilbert De La Vara LHP Houston Kansas City Northwest Arkansas
14 Jason Jones RHP Minnesota New York (AL) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
15 Darren O’Day RHP New York (NL) Los Angeles (AL) Salt Lake
16 Eddie Morlan RHP Milwaukee Tampa Bay Montgomery
17 Robert Mosebach RHP Philadelphia Los Angeles (AL) Arkansas
18 Miguel Gonzalez RHP Boston Los Angeles (AL)
19 Derek Rodriguez RHP Tampa Bay Chicago (AL) Charlotte
Yawn. You play any cards yet La Velle?
Did you eat at In N Out Burger yet LaVelle
He sounds like a great prospect for the Twins. I wonder why he wasn’t retained by the Yankees.
brandon,
Rule V major league portion is for improving your MLB team.
If draftee doesn’t stay on MLB roster, he must be offered back to the original team at half-price.
Like I said, keeping an infielder (or any position player)on your MLB roster all year, squeezes your bench.
Its not good for a contending team to draft a position player for that reason.
That’s why the MLB portion of Rule V is predominantly pitchers.
So the Twins passed on Morlan for Jones.
AM - they traded him for a reason. Jones looks like he could be special. Anderson could work wonders on him; we’ll have to see what else happens. Adding these pitchers makes it easier to swallow a trade of another one.
If the Cubs/Padres/Twins 3-way deal requires young pitching…doesn’t this move make sense? Lets get it done. Pick up Kouz from SD and since the Brew Crew need pitching as well, and we always have excess…lets make a deal for J.J. Hardy!
jimmy bee says:
December 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am
He sounds like a great prospect for the Twins. I wonder why he wasn’t retained by the Yankees. Oh yeah LaVelle don’t forget to go to In N Out Burger in Vegas just off of the strip
Because they are morons and prefer buying talent instead of developing it (Cano being an obvious exception). Plus as the report said, he ‘doesn’t throw hard enough’. Tell that to Slowey, Blackburn, etc.
How does Jones compare to the guy we lost? I have to assume they are at least somewhat equivalent, since KC obviously preferred Lugo to Jones. And both preferable to Morlan.
It’s also interesting that there wsa so much gnashing of teeth over losing Morlan last year (including on Gleeman’s site, in particular, I seem to recall), and yet we could have had him back for free and we passed.
Maybe there is a trade with Milwaukee in the works for Morlan and Hardy. Just a hopeful thought that the Twins do something. Would love to see a trade for Wigginton and Hardy.
Lineup for 09
Span
Casilla
Mauer
Morneau
Wigginton
Kubel
D.Young/Cuddy — figure one is gone
Hardy
Gomez
I guess you have to look at it as “who is ready to play in the majors next year?”. Morlan may end up a better pitcher than Jones or Lugo, but not by next season.
m-s-m….why does Jones look so special? The links LEN3 added don’t speak highly of him at all.
Lugo is a lefty reliever, strikeout machine with some control issues who never made it higher than Ft. Myers… Interesting that he was the one taken from the Twins.
“we could have had him back for free and we passed.”
It’s not that simple. I don’t know much about any of these guys, but a lot depends on who the team thinks they can carry on the ML roster for a year.
jones and re sign punto we should be set to make a run or at least a head first slide into second place.
BFE - we don’t have Morlan and your lineup needs work - Hardy would sure as heck not be batting 8th for us.
KFAN Reports that The twins have Signed Punto…..Any Confirmation Wobble?
medschoolmatt
I agree, Hardy would not be 8th…more like 3rd with Mauer batting 2nd and Casilla hitting in the 8 hole.
The Twins must be down on Morlan- which should say something about him. They had no problem swapping him in for a stiff (Rincon) last year at this time, and this year passed on an oppertunity to bring him back.
A RHP with good minor league numbers and a good splitter… sounds like a guy that could challenge Humber and others for that last spot…
He did go to Liberty University though, suprised he didnt end up in Bush’s justice department….
Sane makes a good point about drafting pitchers but…..I still believe the Twinks should take a gamble on a little infield (3B & SS)help. If the guys looks promising, do a trade and send him to AAA.
Tony - I will go protest outside Kirby Puckett place if that is true…
There goes EVERYONES wish to get a solid infielder with pop for 2009. Christmas is ruined for me…
Medschoolmatt - lineup order does need work agreed. Morlan comes back to us from Milwaukee in trade with Hardy. Will work on lineup.
an please twins just say NO!! to Punto!
Tony dont joke around about that you will incite a riot in here.
a 25 year old soft tosser with bad control?? he’ll likely be offered back to the Yankees before spring training is over. This guy won’t be of any help to the Twins.
“jones and re sign punto we should be set to make a run or at least a head first slide into second place.”
best line of the day
Not Joking….The Guy who did the Noon Sports update just said that…..Not Joking at all.
Oh great! My least favorite Twins player has been RE-SIGNED!!! That was worth the trip to Las Vegas right there!
LaVelle,
Frank Robinson is kind of a GOD to me… you just made me jealous! Everyone talks about Hank Aaron or Willie Mays… Frank was the man… he and Clemente were my heroes from the 60’s.
Well I guess we just found our starting SS, at least through May when Punto breaks his wrist sliding into first, or again shows his ability to hit mildly over .210
LNP for life. Goooooo Nicky and do a head first slide into a new contract hopefully.
Ideally, I think Jones would start the year in AAA, but that’s obviously not how the Rule 5 works.
I would actually agree in with whoever said he’s unlikely to be special…I don’t know how his stuff will translate at the big league level, really. He never dazzled anyone in Trenton, but he always gave up 6 or 7 good innings and rarely had a bad outing. He killed with consistency more than anything.
The reason the Yankees didn’t protect him is likely because they’re absolutely stacked with pitching…the same reason why JJ could never get an extended look at AAA. They lost four guys in the Rule 5 today, and three were pitchers…that should tell you something right there.
How much for a Punto? 2/8?
The Punto deal is official. 2 years and an option. Posted on the AP transaction wire
Oh cmon…he better have been cheap and is not guaranteed a starting job next year. Problem is, unless the FO goes and gets 3B AND SS help, Gardy will start him…horrible day indeed
I am not a big Punto fan as well, but lets all calm down. I think most of us knew that a trade or signing probably wouldn’t happen at the winter meetings. The Twins never do anything at them. If the Twins can make a move for Kouz or Hardy (he can play 3B as well) or Atkins & Street, I would be find with Punto at SS.
what’s the symbol for tears?
This should help our bullpen if he sticks. Perhaps a good mop up guy/long reliever? Twins have a pretty good record of finding solid pitchers who are overlooked because they don’t remind anyone of Nolan Ryan.
Remember Radke never looked like much either. You’d watch him throw his 88 mph fastball and scratch your head and wonder how he was still in MLB. Then before you knew it you were in the seventh or 8th and he’d only given up 3 runs and had another quality start.
Whoever said he has bad control…would disagree there. The walk totals look bad in comparison to the K totals, but that’s because he doesn’t strikeout a lot of guys. He pitches to contact, and does his job well.
It’s no secret he isn’t going to blow anyone away on the radar gun…but if he gets the job done, he gets the job done.
Any way you cut it, the Punto re-signing is bad news… no $ reported yet.
I really need to find something else to do with my lunch breaks. Boring winter meetings. Yankees spend a billion, or whatever, on whomever. Big deal. They could not compete if they had to develop talent, so they best roll the dice and hope CC stays near 270lbs for the next 7 years. Anybody want to put odds on that happening?
There is no way Punto will be our starting SS. Someone needs to do a Conan “if they had kids” to see what a Punto/Gardenhire baby would look like.
jimmy bee is trying to start another burger war.
Gardy: “Nicky, we want you as our regular SS!”
Punto: “OK, here is my signed contract!”
Gardy: “Thanks, Nicky. Give me that contract. By the way, I was just kidding about you being the regular SS. I’m actually giving THAT job to Alexi”
No one should be fine with Punto as a starting SS. YOu want him as your infield captain? No thanks. Not to mention he can’t hit worth squat. Why on earth was the FO and everyone saying we need to upgrade the left side of the infield and only re-sign Punto? The kid is a utility player at best.
This is the best that we can do?!?!?!? PUNTO?!! C’mon guys….it’s riot time. Let’s tip something over!!!
Ashmore - why if they are so stacked with pitching do they feel the need to constantly go out and buy it?
http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/scott-aldred-on-jason-jones/
I think this link was posted before, but JJ’s command and consistency make for a good sign in my opinion
Chad
I’m also fine with Punto at short. The problem with signing him now is that it limits the Twins opportunities to upgrade the infield. Before they signed Punto they had three options: sign/trade for a 3b, sign/trade for a ss, sign/trade for a 2b. Now they have only one option: sign/trade for 3b. All this for a guy (Punto) who is nothing special.
where was len3 at when this happened?
PUNTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! thank god. he was the best SS available.
You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me!
I love double double’s animal style and LaVelle is right there just a few blocks away from stomach happiness
LNP 4 Life
The Twins never said they were going to up grade both SS and 3B. They have pretty much said one or the other. Punto can play both, so there is still a chance to get a big bat. Also, if you get a Beltre or Kouz, I can handle not as good offensive numbers from Punto if he continues to play excellent D.
I played ball at Liberty right before Jones was there and worked at the school while he was playing. Randy Tomlin was his pitching coach at Liberty and did a good job developing him. He hasn’t picked up much MPH in pro ball but has improved his splitter quite a bit. There was some rumbling that Jason was going to be a late season call up for the Yanks and spot start. I am biased but think he is a good pick up. Aside from being a good kid he is a smart pitcher. He is very similar in makeup to the current RHP starters and is an improvement over Humber and Mulvey. He throws strikes, keeps the ball in the park, and as a result is very economical in pitches. He seems to be a pitcher that would thrive under Anderson. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was dealt in a package deal. Like I said I think his value is a little higher than Mulvey or Humber at this time.
Well, now that The Ostrich has had his feathers plucked over at Target Center there is now a race for a replacement in my heart for Worst GM. Smug Risebrough and Bill Smith are vying for the lead, but Billy is definitely coming on hard at the turn.
Looks like a by-product of signing Gardy’s little Baryshnikov is that Harris is safe. They’ll need him by May after LNP jetes himself into first base and breaks a wrist or separates a shoulder trying to make it on Webgems by flying across the diamond like Superman.
So what’s the over/under on missed bunts/failures to move a runner over by Gardy’s littlest All Star?
Chad, hands down Punto is not an every day player, no matter who you start him next to in the infield.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
I know they never said they were going to upgrade both. My point was now they have only one option (upgrade 3b). Before they could have upgraded any of the three positions since they could have moved Casilla to short.
Who said the Twins would sit on their hands?
Within one hour, the Twins added a AAA pitcher (Jones) and a AAA shortstop (Punto).
How can anyone be disappointed?
now, Trade Punto to the Phillies for Jason Donald. I would not be nearly as upset by the Punto signing if Gardenhire had not already declared him the starting everyday ss. I could have held out hope for a trade for a ss or hoped that Harris or Tolbert had a chance to beat him out at spring training. The Twins are so close to being a contender and they now have given up on improving at a position of their greatest need.
I think JJ was more appealing than Morlan not only because of health, but there is a much greater chance the Yankees will not take him back if he dosent cut it in the MLB next year than the Rays.
There is a decent chance the Twins will be able to keep this guy around even if he doesnt cut it this spring
Not to nitpick Sid, but Jones is a AA pitcher.
And Punto’s an A-ball shortstop.
Saam - you could be right, except Punto is pretty good at 3rd as well.
that said - I have a hunch BS has something going for someone big. He is drafting a pitcher that can contribute on the major league roster, and signing Punto. He must think his trade will upgrade the team. Let’s hope so
Punto…yikes…the Twins front office obviously has a short memory since it was just a little over a year ago that Punto was finishing up playing 150 games, batting .210 with a .291 OBP. I’m excited as hell to have him back though, big day for the Twins organization!!! (that was sarcastic)
Now, I’ve been pimping this all morning with little response. Can we PLEASE go get Ty Wiggington? The guy would be a BEAST playing third for us. Good defender, can hit for average, and has some pop 23 Hr’s in 386 AB’s (full season 30-35 is reasonable).
Jake - Wiggy would be nice. Depends on what the ‘Stros want for him though.
For Signing Punterrible for a two year basically for a 3 year contract… I want Bill Smith fired, and black listed from baseball and the state of Minnesota.
MedschoolMatt — Can’t answer that one.
You don’t have to be a Yankees fan to know who Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy are, so think about it this way…if the Sabathia signing is official and they get Burnett as well, both of those guys are likely to start the year in Triple-A.
Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Chamberlain and Pettitte is what most people think the rotation would be.
And then you hear stuff about Ben Sheets, too!
Seems like they have more prospects than they know what to do with…so really, losing guys in the Rule 5 doesn’t hurt them at all.
Lavelle,
Was Frank still crying at the thought of Matt LeCroy catching another inning?
Chief,
Jason Jones did pitch 11 innings in AAA (with 11 strikeouts and ONE BB).
I will not dispute your categorization of Punto, however.
I can’t believe that is the big move you do after you finish tied for first the year before. Come on make the trades for Hardy and Wigginton so Nicky P can be what he is a great backup.
Twins can still salvage the offseason and should look at new starters for SS and 3B — even 2B if Casilla can make the switch back to SS. Or how about a DH that can actually hit 30+ HRS
SS — Hardy, Furcal, M Young, Tejada
3B — Wigginton, Atkins, Beltre
2B — B. Roberts, Derosa,
DH — Dunn
The Yankees are starting to make me a little sick..CC,AJ,Sheets,Petite,plus Wang and then move Joba back to the bullpen. Really makes me glad we aren’t in the east.
Punto signs for 2 years and 8.5 million. I’m sharpening my pitchfork now.So, when and where are we meeting…LOL.
Jones didn’t pitch above AA because of the stockpile of pitching ahead of him…look at Scranton’s rotation for most of last year. How’s he going to crack that?
As for LeCroy, he’s a good dude, interviewed him in indy ball last year…I’m sure you guys can look that one up if you so desire. He retired and is going to manage in the Nats system for ‘09, I believe Hagerstown.
I see no one has fixed the errors on the page yet.
I keep getting other people’s email addresses in here.
Thank you. Finally someone else thinks Adam Dunn would be a good addition. He can just DH. I don’t want him in the OF unless absolutely necessary. All he as to do is hit homeruns. And strikeout alot. I would be ok with that though.
Side note, I like Nick Punto, as a backup. An everyday player he is not. I am frustrated as hell that the Twins FO doesn’t see this crap. It has been happening for years and will continue into the future. I feel like the rest of you, GET A GOOD FREE AGENT OR TRADE FOR SOMEONE GOOD!!!!!
Good signings. Punto will start at SS. Jones to be good later.
Twins make the best move of all at the Winter meetings……….
I wonder if we will still get Jack Wilson and maybe I will throw up on my keyboard and my fingers will get all pukey
WOW!! Jason Jones? The news just keeps getting better and better!!!
I’m just being pragmatic here, but isn’t it rare that a Rule 5 pick even makes the roster out of Spring Training?
“Twins do have the option of swinging a deal to keep his rights if they want to send him to the minors”
Hopefully this deal is sending Nick Punto the the Yanks, and this no-name to our minor leagues…
21. Twins Jason Jones, rhp, Yankees
Skinny: Big-bodied 26-year-old throws four pitches for strikes and competes; fringy fastball augmented by cutter, split-finger pitch.
Greg…
Does Jason Jones help this pitching staff this year?
WHO CARES FIRE BILL SMITH!!!!!
The Twins have more depth in the middle than most of you give credit. What’s a good middle guy? A sure defender that has the potential to hit .300 and low double digit HRs. Well…they have that…IN THE ORGANIZATION! Take a look at not only the guys on the big club, but the guys in the minors (I actually think they are better hitters anyway). Hughes, Tollesen, Dinkelman, Singleton, Plouffe. I would take any of these guys over Wilson or Donald in a heartbeat…and it seems the Twins feel the same.
I hope the Twins do not make a trade because like last year when they gave up Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett they will get robbed.
