The Braves announced that they have signed right-hander Edwin Jackson. The Legacy Agency client will receive a Major League contract, and MLB.com’s Mark Bowman tweets that he will step directly into the big league bullpen. The Cubs released Jackson earlier this year.
Jackson, 31, was released midway through the third season of a four-year, $52MM contract signed prior to the 2013 campaign. The contract went south for the Cubs almost immediately, as Jackson’s first year with Chicago resulted in a 4.98 ERA over 175 1/3 innings. Things worsened for Jackson in 2014, when he finished the season with a sky-high 6.33 ERA in 140 2/3 innings.
Jackson spent the 2015 season as a reliever with the Cubs, working to a solid 3.19 ERA with 6.7 K/9, 3.5 BB/9 and a 45.3 percent ground-ball rate. A good deal of that work came in low-leverage situations, but the results were positive nonetheless, and his fastball velocity remained very solid, averaging 94.2 mph upon moving to a relief role.
The Braves are such a confusing little team right now.
Braves like to see if they can ‘fix/help’ pitchers. If he was cheap, which i imagine he was, then is a no risk move.
EJax hasn’t been bad this year. If he can eat up some low leverage innings, whats the harm? Not like Ryan Kelly or Matt Marksberry are dealing right now.
Why? No risk signing who still has some stuff and we need bullpen help at the very least, a spot-starter if necessary. He could build his value like the long list before him (i.e. Juan Uribe, Kelly Johnson, Jim Johnson, Cameron Maybin, etc.) After he’s rebuilt value, Braves can flip him for prospects or slot him in for max advantage (i.e. Maybin). That’s how you rebuild a farm system.
I think he will have a comeback and turn into a solid back of the rotation SP.
He’s a great clubhouse guy, everybody on the Cubs loved the guy and was sad to see him go.
The thing that’s always been hard to figure out since he’s been a Cub is that,
1. FB velocity never changed, avg 95 to 97 even
2. He has a full arsenal of pitches that have good movement
3. Comfortable throwing all of his pitches
4. Changes things up, location and pitches
5. He’s durable, hasn’t been hurt, he can eat a ton of innings
I have a good feeling he will blossom, I think he’s going to be one of those great “change of scenery” guys.
His biggest problem is his head. He has good numbers this year in no pressure situations, put any pressure on and he imploded. As far as starting he had one terrible inning per start when things go south with him they go in a hurry
this is his 9th team in 13 years, not many options left for a change of scenery
if the Braves can make him stop approaching every single hitter with fastball-fastball-slider regular as clockwork then they may be able to flip him at the next deadline.
but it’s still a great move for any team playing for draft picks…
He’s only under contract to Atlanta through the end of the season.
If Atlanta wants to flip him at the next deadline, they will need to sign him to another deal for the ’16 season. They could do that as a bullpen piece and a hedge against Banuelos (and others who may not be deemed healthy or ready). But if Jackson pitches halfway decent, I expect other teams would come knocking in the off-season.
If his “stuff” is so great, Will…….why has he been getting shelled while with the Cubs?…..LOL
zero risk, why not?
jackson might be the new jeff weaver. a bullpen arm who might be able to spot start here and there. since jackson showing he cant be a full time starter
…who broke down as a starter after helping the Cardinals win the World Series as a mid-season trade acquisition.
Wasn’t it true that last season the Braves tried to swap Melvin for EJ straight up? Even if Jackson does nothing with the Braves, they still came out ahead.
I think the Cubs still win, regardless, by never having BJ on their team in the first place.
Hey, maybe he can find his way back with Roger. He’s back home too. Was born in Columbus
So to all of you baseball savants, since he is still owed about 13 mil next season by the Cubs do the Braves pick up any of that? How does this work?
The Braves pay him only a prorated portion of the MLB minimum. The Cubs are responsible for the remainder of his original deal.
When you’ve been traded this many times, maybe it’s time to start wearing deodorant.
I’m amazed that the fastball and slider of EJax are like night and day. His slider has been one of the league’s best among starters since 2008 while his fastball has been one of the worst. Hope he gets back to being a serviceable starter, at least.