2:45pm: The Red Sox offered a one-year deal in the $5-6MM range and remain in the hunt for Jackson, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports.
1:09pm: Edwin Jackson has multiple three-year offers, but clubs are being told that the free agent right-hander is much more likely to sign a one-year deal than a multiyear contract, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports. The Orioles like Jackson and have made him an offer, but Connolly suggests it won't be enough to sign him.
The Orioles would consider a four-year deal for Jackson, though they seem more comfortable with a three-year deal that includes a fourth option year, Connolly writes. If Jackson seeks a one-year deal, Baltimore would seem to be an unlikely destination given its hitter-friendly park, remote chances of contending and division.
Howard Megdal compared Jackson and Jason Schmidt earlier today, suggesting that Jackson could be a bargain signing.
FS54 2
I don’t get why he would sign a one-year deal and than compete in the same market as Cain, Hamels, etc.
notsureifsrs
the multi-year offers must not be very impressive
he doesn’t have a perfect record, but if i’m edwin jackson i still bet on boras. if he says i should take a one-year deal, that’s probably what i do
jordan c.
sox will prob sign him
NomarGarciaparra
Wouldn’t he want to pitch in a most pitcher friendly park against weaker offenses if he were to sign a 1 year deal?
Yirmiyahu
Boras is smart, but he can’t do anything to prevent Jackson from blowing out his elbow or having a .340 BABIP. There’s a ton of risk in a pitcher taking a 1-year deal, no matter how good Boras is.
notsureifsrs
there’s only as much risk as the value of the 2 extra years being offered. if it’s either 1/10 or 3/21, i like my chances of recovering that kind of money down the line
Kyle Haker
boston only offered 1/6 though. Thats weak
notsureifsrs
really, really weak
BoSoXaddict
John Smoltz/Brad Penny weak.
BoSoXaddict
John Smoltz/Brad Penny weak.
Matt Busche
if that’s the best offer he’s getting why wouldn’t the Reds sign him on a one year deal? I think it would make more sense to sign a one year deal in the NL and improve your stock more than he probably can in the AL.
FS54 2
still multi-year offer is guaranteed money.
notsureifsrs
and if it’s from a team i’d like to play for, maybe i take it. but if it’s from e.g. the 2012 orioles, probably not
i’ll be 29 next year. even if my season is a bit worse than 2011, there’s a good chance that’ll be a 4th straight year of 200 innings; 6 of 30+ starts. buehrle did well with a similar resume and i’ll be younger and better than he was. plus, again, my agent is scott boras
Kyle Silvernail
Alot of the big market clubs that might ordinarily be in the mix are being budget conscious this year, as they try to stay close to the luxury tax threshold. But they may have some dead weight contracts coming off their books after this season. So, a guy like Jackson could potentially generate more interest from teams next season. By re-entering the free agent market next year, he might be able to play on a team with playoff aspiration AND get multiple years on his contract. This off-season its one or the other – multi year deal on a losing team or 1 year deal on a contender.
Jorge Yazpik
One year, ten millions, Mariners…
Tko11
It makes completely no sense for the Orioles to even have interest in Edwin Jackson. They sign him and then what? They would still be really bad.
LordD99 2
It also would make no sense for Jackson to go to the Orioles if he’s only on a one-year deal. He’s going to want to be on a team where he can shine and then re-enter the market. The Orioles are not good, in a tough division and a hitter’s park.
My guess is he returns to the Cardinals.
Encarnacion's Parrot
Baltimore is the place for careers to die too, not for prime years to be spent.
No sense indeed.
EpiphanyinBaltimore
I think he’s a perfect fit for the Orioles. A solid pitcher with a shot at being better than he’s been (I truly believe he’s one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball), but someone that even if he just maintains — posts 200 innings and a 3.75 era for the next four years — he’ll be valuable. Also someone that seems to be attracting less than than market value for whatever reason. Takes a lot of pressure off the younger guys and someone to build around.
DbacksAreBeast
under-rated? lmao…
Tko11
Build around Edwin Jackson? Idk about that one. 3.75 era in the AL East? I doubt that.
Lefty
How can you possible type something like this? How can you even possible think it?
Tko11
Because its true? It’s a terrible fit for both sides as LordD99 pointed out below.
Tko11
Because its true? It’s a terrible fit for both sides as LordD99 pointed out below.
UltimateYankeeFan
Would the Red Sox be interested for say about $10MM?
notsureifsrs
they’d be fools not to be. i’m not a jackson fan and he’s no front of the rotation arm, but getting your money’s worth from him on a 1/$10M deal is a piece of cake
cedarandstone
And Matt Clement was also once a can’t miss free agent starter.
notsureifsrs
no he wasn’t. but if he’d been signed to a 1-year deal he would have been. that would have turned out great
might still have been pretty good at 3 years were it not for his accident
notsureifsrs
they’d be crazy not to be. i’m not a jackson fan and he’s no front of the rotation arm, but getting your money’s worth from him on a 1/$10M deal would be easy
start_wearing_purple
I have to agree completely. Ever since Lackey’s injury was annouced I was shuddering thinking of Jackson signing with the Sox. However my assumption at the time was any deal would be a long term one. However a one year deal with Jackson taking over as a number 4 pitcher would be worth $10M.
chico65
I’m with you guys. Heck, I’d give him a little more than 10 to make it especially enticing (though 1/10 is the Beltre special). I’d rather have him for 1 year than 4. For the love of God, Ben, don’t be counting on Bard as a reliable starter for an entire year, let alone your #4.
Sean Proper
It worked for another Boras client (Beltre) a couple of years ago so you never know. I’d think a pitcher park like Safeco or Petco would be ideal but maybe they aren’t making offers.
LordD99 2
He’s not going to want to go to either Safeco or Petco. Good for his ERA, but he might end up going back on the market with something like an 8-13 record with those two teams. It makes sense for him to go to a team that has a fair park and a decent team.
MB923
I don’t see why they wouldn’t. Although I think they’d probably prefer Oswalt over Jackson. He’s a much better pitcher and he’s asking for less. The only reason Oswalt is not signed is clearly due to his health issue.
What do you think is the better deal to make right now, Jackson for about $10 million or Oswalt for about $8 million? There’s a problem with each of them – Jackson is inconsistent, and Oswalt’s back issues.
notsureifsrs
between the need for innings and oswalt’s reluctance to play in boston, i’d actually take jackson on even money. they’re doing their best to miss on both with this low-ball business though
BoSoXaddict
Seriously. These low-ball offers to Oswalt & Jackson are just painful to read about.
notsureifsrs
you always want your team’s GM to hunt for deals, but offering 1/5 when 1/10 would be a deal is just being annoying
BoSoXaddict
Especially annoying when that extra 5 million is the difference between a legit back-of-the-rotation starter like Jackson and a scrub like Cook/Maine/Padilla/Silva. And especially when you just traded your starting shortstop for salary relief :/
MaineSox
Agreed. I’m just hoping that the $5-6M was the original offer (before they had any indication that he would actually take a one year deal) and that they have since upped their offer after hearing that he’ll actually take a one year deal; or maybe even Boras has gone to them and said if they offer such-and-such that Jackson would take the one year deal.
Tony
If the Marlins were smart they would use the money they had going after Cespedes and give Jackson a one year deal.
GREGM
The Marlins are still in on Cespedes…and besides…the only guy he could bump from the rotation is Zambrano…and i’m sorry…2.5m for Zambrano>10m for Jackson.
Josh Batelli
Does it matter where he goes? He’s gonna get traded twice by this time next year anyway.
MrBaseball29
Yankees
James Stevens
If he is trying to help his cause with a 1 year deal, why the hell would he go to boston? he would face the top teams in the al in some very hitter friendly parks (all of the al east).
Lars Chunks
Maybe he wants to prove that he can pitch against those teams.
Jason Liptow
Might be thinking about signing with the Tigers. Get that World Series ring then worry about the money. Could post a great record with that team.
LordD99 2
Detroit wouldn’t be a bad option. Nice big park with a good offense.
LordD99 2
Jackson already has “that World Series ring.” He was one of the starters for the Cardinals in the most recent World Series.
James Stevens
you think the tigers are winning the world series?
i hate to break this to everyone but i highly doubt fielder puts up the numbers at comerica that he did at miller….
JacksTigers
They have as good a chance as any of the other big teams.
inleylandwetrust
Good thing your opinion doesn’t mean anything then, eh?
tigers22
It’s not just Fielder that gives the Tigers a great shot at a ring. Cabrera-Fielder is one of, if not the best 3-4 duos in baseball. Doesn’t hurt to have the reigning AL Cy Young and MVP either. Or a closer who was perfect in save ops last year. Or an all-star caliber catcher and shortstop.
Even if Prince doesn’t put up the same numbers, the Tigers will be just fine.
Lars Chunks
3-4 doesn’t matter much when 1-2 and 5-9 are terrible.
tigers22
Haha… I can assure you the rest of the lineup is not “terrible”
But hey, haters gunna hate I guess.
Matt Busche
Do Tigers fans forget V-Mart isn’t playing this year? Fielder as a hitter is a little bit better than V-Mart, so the offense isn’t exactly improving a lot over last year. Austin Jackson isn’t suddenly going to have a .400 OBP or probably even a .350 OBP and Boesch isn’t much better. SSS, but Boesch has been horrible in the 2 hole. Cabrera and Fielder can each hit .400, but if no one is on base it doesn’t matter.
patrick
if cabrera and fielder hit 400 with their power and plate discipline the offense would be outrageous….two guys with power and 500 OBP makes for a sick lineup
Matt Busche
Also, and I hope it doesn’t happen, but look what has happened to Youk since he switched to 3rd from 1B. He’s been horribly injury prone. I would expect at least one DL stint from Cabrera this year if he’s playing 100 games at 3B
tigers22
There’s no way Miggy comes even close to playing 100 games at 3B this year. I expect 50-70 with the rest coming at DH and 1B.
And no, trust me… we aren’t forgetting Vmart isn’t playing this year. But when Ajax does get on base, he’ll be getting driven in. I’d like to see some more plate discipline, but he’ll be fine. Boesch should have a nice year hitting in the 2 hole… being in front of Miggy and Prince, he should see some good pitches.
And even with slight regression from Avila and Peralta, I still like this lineup a lot… and don’t think it’s even close to “terrible”
Sean Douglass
Given the weakening of the NL Central this winter, I take it as a lack of confidence by Pirates management if they don’t pursue him aggressively. They need a front line starter and a dependable innings eater. If he could be had for 5 and $40M and if management believes in the run the Bucs had April-July last year, they need to get it done. If their farm ends up developing the arms they think they have, he would be on a very tradeable deal, and you could even give him a limited no-trade clause. Like the Nats going after Werth last year, they may have to overpay somewhat, but how can they let him go elsewhere? Anxious Pirate fan!
JohnOrpheus
Why would Jackson want to play for the Pirates after winning a World Series the year prior? Same problem with the O’s chances of getting him.
Monkey’s Uncle
I disagree, because with the O’s there is zero chance of contending, and all of the other teams in the division mash the ball. With the Pirates there also might be zero chance of contending, but there are not too many great offensive teams (Reds good, Brewers and Cards obviously not as good as last year, Cubs possibly, Astros not a chance). With Pittsburgh Jackson is towards the top of the rotation, not the bottom. It makes sense to me even for Pittsburgh to try a 1 year deal: if he stinks, or if the team does, he becomes his annual deadline trade bait and you get something for him. Why not at least try for it, Buccos?
JohnOrpheus
Time for Cards to jump off of Oswalt and onto Jackson. Let Texas have Oswalt and his back issues.
Franks
Shu ask Ryan Madson about that, Boras fails many times.
PeanutTheKidnapper
So what your trying to say is the Orioles have a chance at signing him??
mwagner26
“So you’re saying I still have a chance?” – Dan Duquette.
Patrick the Pragmatist
If Jackson wants a good W/L record for that one year deal Seattle is not the place to go.
But if wants his other stats to stand out more Safeco is a great place to go.
Franklin Gutierrez is getting back in shape. I don’t know if his bat will rebound, but what pitcher would not want him behind them in CF?
Brendan Ryan at SS helps any pitcher and Dustin Ackley surprised with how quickly he has turned into a good 2B. He may turn into a standout at the position.
And if young Mariner hitters break out big time the W/L might be better than anyone can project at this time.
JacksTigers
I think that Detroit would be a much better option. Austin Jackson is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game, and with his range, perhaps the best. Jhonny Peralta had a UZR of 9.9 last year while Ryan posted one of 7.6. I’ll give you Ackley, he is better than Santiago. But my point is that he can have everything that’s in Seattle plus a good W/L record and play for a contender in Detroit.
RedCaps
Brendan Ryan is better defensively than Peralta. Last year was the first time Peralta has posted above average defensive numbers, so last season was more than likely a fluke. He’s generally a blow average defender, while Ryan is an excellent defender. The whole Mariners infield is easily better than the Tigers, who are more than likely going to have an awful defense.
JacksTigers
That’s your argument? ‘We have a better infield defense! Poof! We’re a great destination!’
He actually has a chance to win here. He doesn’t have that chance in Seattle.
RedCaps
I wasn’t talking about where Jackson should go or not, just that the Tigers infield defense is horrible. The Mariners aren’t even interested in him, as far as I know. And I’m not a Mariners fan, so it’s not like I was wanting him to go to the Mariners because I’m a fan of the team or anything. I was just making a statement about the defense, that’s all.
Beersy 2
It was rumored that the Padres had shown some interest in Oswalt as of late on a 1 year deal, it makes you wonder if Jackson would accept a 1 year deal from the Padres to pitch in Petco? The Padres and Boras worked together last summer to get Hedges under contract, so maybe there is something in the works. I’m going to say wishful thinking, but as a Padre fan I don’t know how I would feel about this. Byrnes seems to be trying to rebuild and contend at the same time, usually a dangerous mix, but unless he completely fell apart, Jackson would help next year.
JacksTigers
This is where the Tigers get involved.
EpiphanyinBaltimore
The way he and Gerald Laird are sending tweets to each other right now, I got a hunch it’s Detroit. Probably just wishful thinking as a Tigers fan, though! Edwin Jackson is seriously the most underrated pitcher in baseball.
JacksTigers
I’m not sure how much to read into that except for us probably knowing where he is going tomorrow.
jphenix2002
On a one year deal I can see the Tigers signing him to be a fifth starter.
Mikenmn
As long as Jackson believes he should be getting Gavin Floyd money, there’s no reason for him to sign anything other than a short term deal. It could work out for him. He has a lot of talent, and if he manages to have a fairly good year, he could get a multi-year deal down the road. He’s been durable so far, so the injury risk may be worth taking. He’s actually a good match for Floyd: a perception of great talent, the occasional lights-out performance, but a lack of consistently high performance. Eh.
tigers22
Tigers. I definitely see us being more interested in him if he really is seeking only a 1 year deal and not a multi-year contract.
Go out and bring Ejax back to Motown, DD!
Snoochies8
AL West or NL West would be the perfect destinations for him, especially pitching mostly in pitchers parks (with the obvious texas/colorado parks being exceptions).
would love to see the a’s spend 10 million/year on a 1 or 2 year contract for him, 2 years probably being most ideal. I’ve said it before, on a 2 year deal, he gets to avoid getting mixed into the names of this years upcoming class, and for the team, he has more trade value.
Sully65
I think little moths fly out of Ben’s checkbook when he opens it …
Guest 4829
So, Baltimore is “unlikely” because Camden is a hitter friendly park and the O’s play in a tough division? Where does he think the Red Sox play?
notsureifsrs
true, but would you prefer to pitch against the red sox or against the orioles
CharlieT
If that’s the case why even pitch in the AL east? atleast 4 out of the 5
teams in the division have dangerous lineups. If he is looking to pad
some stats there are far more weaker divisions to do it in.
Joshua Johnson
A very hot or cold pitcher. He has no-hitter stuff, but for whatever reason can not be consistantly dominant or really consistly anything. Boras wants 5yrs I would say here is a 2 year deal 16-20 million per take it or leave it.
Sully65
He will end up in Boston for about 6MM
inleylandwetrust
Wow if Boston can get him on a 5-6 mil deal then that is a total steal
Patrick Relano Kim
I think at this stage of career, with the fact that he already has the ring, that he is not the top of the rotation arm who can be picky and get the money he wants both at the same time, I would say Orioles seems very likely for Jackson. He needs money. Would you rather want 1/5-6m rather than guaranteed 4/40? I’d say No. Jackson relies heavily on his fastball/slider combos and we all know the danger of using excessive sliders. Try one year and hit the market where there are tons of pitchers superior than him? That sounds dumb.
notsureifsrs
nobody offered him 4/40
Snoochies8
apparently edwin jackson was ryan madson at the beginning of the offseason
Patrick Relano Kim
I’m 99% sure that Jackson will earn 3/30+1/10 mutual option or similar deal either from Orioles or some mysterious teams. Unless he is hardcore sox fan for life, there is no way he accepts this joking 1yr 5-6m from Boston especially there are still other viable options who would throw multi-year contracts he want and that Boras is his agent. This guy already experienced way too many teams in such young age. He probably wants to settle down somewhere.
Jackson may never be the TOR guy, but 4/40 seems too much for him? His WAR for last 3 seasons were 3.6/3.8/3.8. I guess 1WAR is equivalent of 4.5m in open market, no? 3/30 or 4/40 sounds like a bargain for me.
Patrick Relano Kim
I’m 99% sure that Jackson will earn 3/30+1/10 mutual option or similar deal either from Orioles or some mysterious teams. Unless he is hardcore sox fan for life, there is no way he accepts this joking 1yr 5-6m from Boston especially there are still other viable options who would throw multi-year contracts he want and that Boras is his agent. This guy already experienced way too many teams in such young age. He probably wants to settle down somewhere.
Jackson may never be the TOR guy, but 4/40 seems too much for him? His WAR for last 3 seasons were 3.6/3.8/3.8. I guess 1WAR is equivalent of 4.5m in open market, no? 3/30 or 4/40 sounds like a bargain for me.
Oil_Can_Boy
I agree – he’ll get 4/40 somewhere before its all said and done.
Adam Moreira
If Jackson does good for one full season, however, that could drive up his price. Jackson may also want stability, as he has bounced around a lot.
patrick
what the hell makes you think edwin jackson NEEDS money?
Oil_Can_Boy
My guess is this is posturing from Boras, designed to drive up the value of those multiyear deals. He’ll get 4/45 or more when all is said and done. Orioles (and others?) need to pony up. No way he goes to BoSox for 1/6.
SFeleven
I would have rather seen the Giants not pick up Affeldt’s option and signed Jackson to a one year deal. Hopefully resigning Affeldt as well to less money.
The Giants have Lopez in the bull pen, having two stellar lefties is a luxury. I’d rather have a legitimate SP in the 5th spot of the rotation than a second lefty in the pen. Especially considering how much the Giants struggle when they fall behind early in games.
CardsEagles1489
Cardinals should pursue him heavily if he’s taking a one year deal now. If we can move McClellan, there’s no excuse for not signing either Jackson or Oswalt..
Lars Chunks
Would it be possible for the Red Sox to take advantage of their luxury tax situation by signing him to a 1 year deal for $6M with the promise of signing him to a multi-year extension once the season starts? Then his AAV for this year would only be $6M and the extension AAV wouldn’t count until the following season.
Mikenmn
That’s essentially what they did with A-Gon; delaying the extension. It would require some trust and a total package large enough to temp him to sign long term, which would mean years and money. So, do the Red Sox want this guy enough to pay the Boras price? I also wonder whether MLB would tolerate what amounts to a dodge of the luxury tax rules. AGon was already under contract when traded for.
Bryce
Cards offer 3 years for $30 mill, 7 this year then 11.5 next 2 years after Cards clear payroll of Lohse and Westbrook. Miller should be ready in 2013 then Martinez in 2014 to replace Carp. I think Jackson learned a lot last year being on a staff with veterans and could break out this year.
Kendall Adkins
If he would accept a one year deal, and his market seems to be about the same as Oswalt’s, I think he would make sense for the Cardinals. He already has some roots there and the fans like him. Plus, we have a couple rotation spots opening up after this year, which could leave us with Wainwright, Carpenter, Jackson, Garcia, Miller if he wants to sign an extension.
johnrhee
Seattle Mariners can use Edwin Jackson after trading Michael Pindeda to the New York Yankees for Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi (either perfect fit in the bullpen or a year in AAA – Tacoma). He will definitely take pressure off King Felix, Jason Vargas, Kevin Millwood, and young pitchers as Oliver Perez will be great option in the bullpen or in AAA. Paul Knonerko may be an option for some hitting help for the Mariners by acquiring him for pitcher James Paxton or Danny Hultzen & Charlier Furbush or Blake Beaven, and catcher Rob Johnson since AJ Pierzynski is getting up in age. Jack Z and Ken Williams better do something quick before Spring Training starts to compete in the division.
johnrhee
Seattle Mariners can use Edwin Jackson after trading Michael Pindeda to the New York Yankees for Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi (either perfect fit in the bullpen or a year in AAA – Tacoma). He will definitely take pressure off King Felix, Jason Vargas, Kevin Millwood, and young pitchers as Oliver Perez will be great option in the bullpen or in AAA. Paul Knonerko may be an option for some hitting help for the Mariners by acquiring him for pitcher James Paxton or Danny Hultzen & Charlier Furbush or Blake Beaven, and catcher Rob Johnson since AJ Pierzynski is getting up in age. Jack Z and Ken Williams better do something quick before Spring Training starts to compete in the division.