Jonesing For One More Chance

Finally.  After years of fighting winless battles to get so much as a call-up to Triple-A with the Yankees organization, finally Jason Jones was getting a legitimate opportunity.

The Minnesota Twins had selected the popular former Thunder ace in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 draft prior to the start of the 2009 season. 

But before he knew it, that opportunity had come and gone.

“It’s been an interesting two years,” said Jones from the visiting clubhouse in Trenton.

“I kind of miss it being back here.  I have a lot of good memories, I pitched a lot of good games.  We won two championships here, so it’s nice to be back.  But it’s a little different on this side.”

On the home side, Jones spent two and a half seasons at Waterfront Park, posting a 25-21 mark with a 3.67 ERA in 63 appearances, including 53 starts.  He recorded the last out for the second of those aforementioned Eastern League titles and was beloved by fans and media for his engaging personality, strong work ethic and consistent pitching.

Away from Trenton, however, things have not gone as well.

After not making the Twins out of big league spring training, Jones was offered back to the Yankees per Rule 5 guidelines, but was eventually dealt back to Minnesota in exchange for reliever Charles Nolte.  That meant no 40-man roster spot and a suddenly uncertain future in a new organization.

“The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but there is that other side,” Jones said.

“The opportunity was there, but it was a tough situation.  I know I got caught up a lot last year being so close and finally getting an opportunity.  You worry about that stuff, and you take your mind off what’s really important, and that’s going out there and pitching and getting guys out.”

Instead, Jones struggled in his first full season in Triple-A, with the 5-11 record and 5.75 ERA to prove it.  This season, things haven’t gone much better for the 27-year-old righty. 

Signed out of the independent American Association in late May by the Washington Nationals, Jones found himself back at Waterfront Park for the first time since winning it all in 2008.  This time, however, he was inactive, the result of a 2-9 record and 6.63 ERA over the course of three stops in Washington’s farm system.  Once his greatest strength, Jones says consistency is now his biggest weakness.

“It’s just been ups and downs,” he said.

“There were some good games, (I came) four outs from a perfect game and then I give up 10 runs in one inning. I felt the same stuff; it’s just inconsistency, whether it’s mechanics or pitches. It’s just been a battle.  Not to say it used to come easy, but I used to be a lot more consistent.”

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com