Texas Rangers transactions: The Rangers have acquired pitcher Nate Jones, international bonus slot money, and cash considerations from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league pitchers Joe Jarneski and Ray Castro, the team announced today.
This deal is, I think, all about Bayron Lora. Lora, one of top international free agents available in this year’s J-2 signing period, has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Rangers, but because of other signings the Rangers have made, they did not have enough slot money available to officially sign Lora. Texas had to acquire additional slot money somewhere (something they’ve generally done in most years since the international slot system was put in place), and this deal reportedly gets them $1 million, which should allow them to sign Lora, or get them close enough that they just have to acquire a small additional amount of international slot bonus money.