I forgot today was Wednesday, so I’m a little late with headlines. It didn’t take long to scour the interwebs and discover that there isn’t much of anything going on, so we’re on to obsessing about Edwin Jackson.
The market for free agent starter Edwin Jackson has narrowed to the Cubs and Rangers, reports ESPN’s Jim Bowden (Twitter link).
It’s hard to get excited about Edwin Jackson, especially when it’s Jim Bowden reporting it. I’m fully expecting a mystery team to swoop in and grab him.
In the Cubs’ case, their pursuit of Jackson represents another sign that the team is prepared to spend significant money in on free agent pitching and their willingness to spend $77MM for Sanchez wasn’t just a singular offer for a particular player, though Jackson’s eventual deal will be much less than $77MM.
Theo and Jed just don’t want to be subjected to another round of Chris Rusin. And neither do we.
I do not want Edwin Jackson because he wants 4 years.
Agreed! I don’t mind the reported 12mil per year but 4 is too long. Maybe some sorta 3/36 with a vesting option and some incentives. He’s only 28 but he’s middle of the rotation type at best and I’ve read he’s lost some velocity already.
Who’s his agent?
Scott Boras was his agent up until this past summer. He dropped Boras and signed on with Legacy Agency…which represents a number of players including, as I recall, Adam Dunn and Jose Reyes.
I don’t want Edwin Jackson even if he wants less than 4 years.
He would be a significant improvement over just about every pitcher on the team.
He isn’t better than Garza…might be better than Samardzija…might not.
I would hope that 2 years from now the Cubs would have at 3 pitchers better than him.
i said “almost every” – he’s not better than Garza, and he’s probably about equal to Smardjwhatever. So, you’re right.
I can’t even tell you what other pitchers the Cubs have.
Ideally a 2/24 or 2/25 would be perfect. I could live with 3/36. No more than that as my opinion on him is probably equal to yours.
I enjoyed watching him pitch for the NL East Champion Washington Nationals last year.
Sorry, I had to say that. Really, he is about a middle of the rotation guy. His ERA+ puts him right about at “average.”
He’s struck me as a very talented guy who’s never quite lived up to expectations.
Compared to Sanchez, Jackson will likely give up a few more runs…walk a fraction more…strike out quite a few less…give up a few more homers…
He’ll likely give a solid 200 innings this year. In the end, I would assume he would be the Cubs #2 or #3 pitcher this year depending on how well Samardzija does.
His WAR the last few years has been pretty decent. 2012 was his crappiest year out of the last 4 which would indicate that the Cubs might be able to get him a bit cheaper than his career stats would dictate.
That being said, I really have no enthusiasm for the move if the Cubs were to actually follow through on it.
It seems that Jim Bowden has the Cubs in on just about every free agent right now, so we’ll see.
He had a hot streak down the stretch and looked dominant. Then his last two (or three?) starts he looked like crap.
That’s pretty much the story of his career.
Something is unsettling when someone like him can’t find a team to stick on. Maybe its nothing but in my eyes its a red flag.
One point in his favor is that he hasn’t hit 30 yet
I actually think that’s worth more than one point.
So, has he signed yet? With the Cubs I mean…
The Edwin Jackson news has been nothing for most of the day. Honestly, the only person that has said anything about this was Bowden…and I just don’t have much stock in anything he says anymore.
Jon Heyman reports that the Cubs have signed Carlos Villanueva.
I’m not sure where Villanueva has been the last few years…but he spent quite a bit of time up in Milwaukee.
He’s a good utility pitcher…decent out of the bullpen and a good #6 starter.
Who?
I had him for a short time for holds and SO’s in last year’s LOHO league. I did shitty so that should give you some insight into his talents..
Have these guys the prerequisites?
Shoulder or elbow surgery.
I see where 2 convicted robbers escaped a Chicago jail from the 15th floor using bedsheets.
One figures at least 1 sheet per floor. Guards didn’t see 15 sheets laying around?