White Sox and Nate Jones agree to terms on three-year contract

The Chicago White Sox and right-handed relief pitcher Nate Jones have agreed to terms on a three-year, $8-million contract which includes two club options and a mutual option.
 
Under terms of the contract, Jones will earn $900,000 in 2016, $1.9 million in 2017 and $3.95 million in 2018. The White Sox hold club options for 2019 ($4.65 million) and 2020 ($5.15 million) with a mutual for 2021 ($6 million). If either club option is declined, Jones would receive a $1.25-million buyout.
 
Jones, 29, went 2-2 with a 3.32 ERA (7 ER/19.0 IP), six holds and 27 strikeouts in 19 relief appearances in 2015. He averaged 12.79 strikeouts per 9.0 IP with a 4.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio (six walks) while holding opponents to a .188 (12-64) average.
 
"We view Nate as a key component in the back end of our bullpen," said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. "Nate is a homegrown pitcher with a power arm and tremendous work ethic, so we are excited to be able to reward him for what he has accomplished thus far in his career and potentially keep him in a White Sox uniform for the next six seasons."
 
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Jones, who began last season on the 60-day disabled list to continue his recovery from Tommy John surgery, made his season debut on August 7 and did not allow a run over his first six outings covering 6.1 IP.
 
Jones has gone 14-7 with a 3.52 ERA (66 ER/168.2 IP) and 181 strikeouts in 156 appearances over four major-league seasons. His eight wins as a rookie in 2012 led all American League relievers and were the second-highest total in franchise history by a rookie reliever.
 
He originally was selected by the Sox in the fifth round of the 2007 draft.