The Chicago Cubs have continued the winter overhaul of their undermanned starting rotation with the signing of right-hander Edwin Jackson. The Cubs will be Jackson’s eighth Major League team in just ten big league seasons. Jackson’s deal with Chicago will reportedly pay him $52 million over the next four seasons. Chicago is believed to have outbid the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers for Jackson’ services.
The contract for Jackson may catch some fans by surprise. Jackson has a career record of just 70-71 with a career ERA of 4.40. Those numbers don’t scream $52 million pitcher. While Jackson may not be the perfect pitcher he’s a good fit for the Cubs. Jackson has been one of the most dependable pitchers in baseball logging more than 180 innings in each of the last five seasons. Jackson has also exhibited much better control over the past four seasons after struggling with command early in his career. Last season with the Washington Nationals Jackson pitched 189 2/3 innings and averaged 8.0 strikeouts per nine inning and had a 2.90 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Cubs should be able to plug Jackson into the middle of their rotation and feel reasonably comfortable for the next few seasons. He’s not great, but $52 million doesn’t buy you great pitchers these days.
Chicago ended the 2012 season with the likes of Casey Coleman and Justin Germano in the starting rotation. The front office has now signed four potential starters (Jackson, Carlos Villanueva, Scott Baker, and Scott Feldman) for 2013. The additions give Chicago the makings of a solid big league rotation as well as countless options going forward. If Matt Garza returns to health in Spring Training, and isn’t amenable to a long-term contract, he could be dealt for a few young power arms of third baseman. If Baker and Feldman, both signed one-year deals, prove to be healthy they too could be traded at the deadline. Travis Wood, a young lefty who showed some promise as a starter in 2012, could begin 2013 in the bullpen or back at Triple-A Iowa. Their winter signing spree has given the Cubs depth and options. Now fans will have to wait and see if victories follow.
*Information gathered from http://www.baseball-reference.com.
Dan Soderberg is an avid Cubs fan and hopes to one day retire to the Wrigley Field bleachers. You can read some of Dan’s other work at http://dadstimeout.tumblr.com/ Follow Dan on Twitter.
