The White Sox have agreed to terms with outfielder Austin Jackson on a $5MM contract, Jon Heyman writes (all Twitter links). Jackson is a Scott Boras client.
Heyman notes that Jackson could have signed with the Angels for more money, but preferred to stay in Chicago (where he played with the Cubs last season) and play center field, rather than left. Late last month, it was reported that Jackson had rejected an offer from the Angels in the $5MM-$6MM range.
Jackson, 29, batted .267/.311/.385 in 527 plate appearances last season, spending most of the year with the Mariners before heading to the Cubs in a late-August deal. His hitting has, on the whole, been mildly disappointing the past two seasons, as he struggled to hit home runs in pitcher-friendly Seattle and has largely continued his career-long trend of being strikeout-prone. He has generally produced good value on the bases, however (despite stealing only 17 bases compared to ten times caught last year). Jackson is also fairly young and has maintained a reasonably high baseline level of performance, producing over 2 fWAR in five of his six seasons in the big leagues.
Jackson played center in Seattle but spent most of his time in the corners after being traded. His defense has graded as about average in center field — UZR rated him as 7.5 runs above average in center last season but was less favorable in the two years before that, while Defensive Runs Saved has marked him as about average in all of the last three seasons. He has rated as a better defender than incumbent White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton, who had a good year with the bat in 2015. It’s possible Eaton could move to a corner, or maybe Jackson could take at bats in center when Eaton isn’t playing and also play occasionally in a corner himself. Eaton is currently dealing with a shoulder issue, but via CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes (on Twitter), the White Sox do not seem overly concerned about Eaton’s health.
It isn’t surprising that the White Sox would be interested in Jackson, given their reported pursuits of outfielders like Dexter Fowler and Alex Gordon. Jackson’s signing will likely cut into Avisail Garcia’s playing time, and though Jackson is far from a perfect player, he appears to be a significant upgrade (keeping in mind that Garcia is 24 and could improve). Garcia hit a disappointing .257/.309/.365 last season while struggling defensively in right. Jackson’s presence strengthens a White Sox defense that rated as worst in the Majors last season, via Fangraphs. The Jackson deal continues a busy South Side offseason that has also included the additions of Todd Frazier, Brett Lawrie, Mat Latos, Alex Avila, Dioner Navarro and others, as the Sox have attempted to remake a roster that came up well short of expectations in a 76-win 2015 season.
Jackson’s $5MM price tag appears very reasonable for a player of his caliber. Before last offseason began, MLBTR projected that Jackson would receive more than twice that much, at $12MM for one year. Perhaps, though, the slow-developing outfield market influenced Jackson’s payday. Last week, MLBTR’s Steve Adams listed the White Sox as one of several teams that could have interest in Jackson.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
That’ll probably shift Avi to AAA or 4th OF then Eaton to RF.
Why would they sign Jackson when they have Eaton? Neither one of their bats translates to a good corner outfielder. I guess he was cheap enough though.
because either of them is a better corner OF than Garcia.
Melky’s pretty horrible in LF too.
Garcia better than last year mistake LaRoach if he can’t turn it around then Garcia are new DH
Eaton’s bat def translates to a corner OF. He broke out with power last season, if he pushes 20 HR that’s a great COF bat.
Lifetime 114 OPS+. Even if he hits 5HRs, that’s a helluva corner bat.
Just a heads up to Boras, your boy Austin is going to be playing quite a bit of RF. As most expected, sign Jackson and save the pick finally came to fruition.
Jackson most likely starts 4 days a week in center, eaton in right. Eaton might sit against lefties and avi plays. Or eaton plays and laroche sits with avi dhing
Eaton’s bat is too good to sit. He’ll play 155 games if he’s healthy.
He hit 30 points worse against lefties and his bb% was cut in half. Avi is above average against lefties while eaton is below average. Against righties he will play but lefties its a coin toss between him and laroche
That was last year. In 2013 and 2014 his splits were fine. The guy is 27 and will adapt his game from year to year. Eaton should be fine vs LHP.
No, Adam Eaton is not sitting for lefty/righty match ups. Just no.
Boras doesn’t read the comments.
Same amount of money the angels offered and he went to the white sox shocking.
Good signing! Adds depth to the OF he can slot in and play any OF position when someone needs a day off or he’s a late game defensive replacement for Avi, or Melky. Eaton will stay patrolling center no way in hell Ajax would take his spot… Angels did not offer him the same money… He was actually offered $3M more Angelsfan4life412, so yes this is quite a bit of a shock.
they offered him $8 mill? I didn’t know
Angelsfan4life412, you are rite on. Factually, AJ was offered 5-6 Mil from the Halo’s and AJ’s camp turned it down.
AJ was offered 5-6 million from the Halo’s. AJ’s camp ended up turning the offer down.
if it was even money it wouldnt be all that shocking. Both teams project pretty similar and he might be in line for more AB/CF in chicago. Plus Chicago in the summer blows anaheim away and there’s way less travel.
Would think only being 29 and both being one year deals was the reason he took less. He knows the division pitchers and parks better than he does the west from his short time out there and maybe figures it’ll lead to a better year and he can parlay that into a 3 year deal somewhere next year.
The White Sox offered something the Angels couldn’t–a home ballpark that’s easier to hit homeruns in.
Except he’s not a hr hitter. It might make him pop-up happy.
Shocking? Even if the Angels did offer Jackson the same amount of money why would he go to Anaheim with Mike Trout at his natural position? In Chicago he will primarily play CF, perhaps even starting their most games depending on Adam Eaton’s slow recovery from October shoulder surgery. Even if “Spanky” is able to go full throttle in the OF by opening day, it may be at a corner spot. Jackson chose the White Sox over the Angels, Indians and Orioles because of an opportunity to remain in CF, something not possible with the other suitors.
Nice, sensible move. I like the idea of Eaton in RF too. At the very least we have a professional outfield. Maybe this sparks Avi to turn on a fastball or two, who knows…
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him platoon in Left and right. melky will dh some
About dam time. I was just looking at the lineup options without Laroche in there and they were pretty sad. AJax isn’t an offensive upgrade, but I have a feeling he will be getting similar ABs to Melky and Avi.
I don’t believe the White Sox are done with outfield upgrades. They are reportedly still looking to trade for a left-handed hitting power bat. If they are successful, especially with a non-contending team like the Rockies (Carlos Gonzalez) or Reds (Jay Bruce) then Avisail Garcia might be a logical return as part of any trade package. This would then make Austin Jackson the White Sox fourth outfielder, essentially taking the role that Trayce Thompson might have had in 2016 before his trade to the Dodgers earlier this offseason. Jackson would give the White Sox a backup right-handed hitting CF, a corner OF to start in RF against a tough southpaw as well as a late game defense replacement.
It took dollar store prices to secure Jackson. It would appear almost impossible for the sox to afford Cargo Or Bruce (salary alone not even discussing prospects). I think this is what you have until possible transactions at the deadline, then you have to be willing to give up your top prospects.
I don’t feel Gonzalez and Bruce are good comps to eachother though. Colorado will demand top prospects for CarGo because they can….but the time for Bruce to be at top value is right now…that is unless he has 30hr at the deadline.
Yeah, CarGo would be an incredible pick-up but they’ve said in the past that the Rockies wanted Quintana and the Sox have no intentions of parting with him (purplerow.com/2015/12/29/10684542/mlb-trade-rumors…).
The Sox are still another stud starting pitcher or middle-of-the-lineup bat away from being a team I would otherwise feel hopeful about. Although maybe Rodon turns out to be the next Steve Carlton and LaRoche has a 20/80/.280/.350 year. Who knows.
AJax is fine but I obviously would have liked to have landed one of the big-ticket OFs. The Sox always seem to have trouble attracting big FAs; at least relative to other big market teams. Probably a mix of Reinsdorf’s frugality and being the ugly stepchild team of Chicago.
Just as long as the Cubs’ hopes come spiraling down into a fiery oblivion, it’ll be another season worth watching. eh Sox fans? .
My mistake is when I consider the Sox a large market team. In my more realistic appraisal they fall to about where Houston is market wise and financial wise.
I think your hoped for Laroche projection is wholly possible. Rodon being Carlton? Yeah…that’d be nice.
What the Sox really need is for the system to start putting out solid position players so they can save the cash for big ticket players and not leak so much for mid level upgrades.
I hope your assessment is correct. I would like to see Bruce or Cargo. However, maybe this is it??
I think the last thing the Sox need is Bruce, another low OBP guy thats trending in the wrong direction. It seems like he got hurn in 2013 and hasn’t been the same since. Cargo wouldn’t be bad but he might cost way too much compared to his injury risk.
Bruce isn’t worth much in the form of prospects. Not that the white sox 23rd overall ranked farm system is that great but I have no interest in a diminishing player like Bruce. As far as cargo goes, it’s not going to happen. White sox would be fools to deplete a farm system that finally is moving up the rankings rather than staying in the cellar. The split stats away from coors are ugly and more importantly if the white sox wanted a player who makes that much per year we would have signed cespedes to a high salary. I just don’t see it.
Since he could have gotten more in Anaheim, but turned it down because of concerns about playing time, I would think some assurances were made by Chicago. Don’t think it would set well if they immediately acquired another OF, pushing Ajax to the bench. It would hurt their ability to sign FAs in the future.
I disagree that it would be bad if they acquired another outfielder. In a deal for CarGo, the white sox could include Avi or Demote him to triple A. and trade LaRoche and Adams, Guerrero, and erik johnson for CarGo. They only end up getting 4 mil more in salary if LaRoche goes and get a player a premier lefty slugger. So it could be Eaton, CarGo, Melky, Rotating between DH, RF, and LF. With Jackson getting to play nearly everyday. Thats the only way I can see that working. Hoping for a miracle that the rockies would be willing to take LaRoche.
If the white sox were able to trade laroche it would have already happened. Nobody wants a guy who can’t hit his hate size for that price. Sox would have to part with one of there better prospects and retain some of laroche contract in any move. Cargo isn’t worth the price tag.
This is the greatest move in the long history of the White Sox. Jackson will guarantee a world series as he and “Punch” Avila reclaim their winning ways. Wow. They said it could not be done!
About time someone signed AJax he is a steal at 5 mill. Certainly an upgrade for the w/sox. Look for a huge rebound season from him, bringing back his detroit form. Whitesox are looking alot better now.
I am renewing my season tickets with this brilliant move. I can not wait!
Why do the White Sox think Eaton can’t play CF? If AJax took less money to play center, that means the Sox promised him something.
Eaton is prone to getting banged up out there. Perhaps they think RF is better for his health and durability.
Eaton can play center field, but he’s not great at it. Jackson is a very good center fielder.
good sign. better than garcia. cant believe he will sit behind avi. he chose less money to play sox over halos because sox have better chance to make playoffs this year. i expect he will hit too.
I bet he won’t sit behind Avi, I see Avi going to AAA or 4th at the most.
Good move for the White Sox, moves Eaton to RF. Avi Garcia will battle with Sands/Olt/L. Garcia to see who platoons w/ Laroche at DH. The counter move of signing Jackson may eliminate Sands/or Olt, someone will get DFA’d. I can see Avi end up in the minors or traded. Best platoon option for Laroche is Lawrie moves from 2B to DH, L. Garcia/Sanchez plays 2B vs LHP to improve defense.
What are the options if Laroche is out for a decent amount of time, seems like back injuries can be chronic at his age, and is already in decline. Might be one more move out there for the Sox to make. I would be more confident in Sands/Olt/Garcia/Avi if they had the one skill necessary to DH, actually hit.
Eaton is recovering from shoulder surgery which limits his throwing ability. He won’t have the arm for center by opening day, plus his defense grades out better at a corner spot.
Rf is supposed to have the strongest arm. But really its not a big of so no biggie
2.3 bWAR last season – a repeat, or even a slight regression, will still be worth 5mil.
Such a bitter fan you are.
He”s projects for steamer and zips have him at 1.2/1.7 and a wRC+ at 91/93. That’s a gain of about a win over either Garcia or Cabrera.. He’ll help. Not surprising that he would sign to play in a hitters park after playing most of the last two years in Seattle. He wants to show he can still hit before entering next years FA pool.
Are you insane? Go make fun of the Ian Kennedy deal instead, because that’s still a thing.
And here I thought sabermetric nerds were the ones saying, “Ian Kennedy is better than his results! Just look at his SIERA!”
I’ll bite.
Dominate the postseason based on what? His career 2 GS and 4.26 ERA? Or your unhealthy and worrying need to have people respond to your jibberish?
Much like the rest of the WhSox moves this off season, it’s not a flashy move but it’s a good one. It improves the team and that’s what matters. I still think though that they have to do more to really compete this year. Overall the team has improved, but I just don’t think it’s enough.
Hopefully this means Garcia is out and Eaton can shift over to right.
Hahn has shown he can build teams quietly with major league parts. Makes me curious to see what he’ll do with a farm system that can produce talent. That’s the real key. The only way they bring in major impact talent now is to play big in free agency with cash. Would be very nice to see a few arms and bats impact the major league team…more Chris Sales and less Gordon Beckhams.
Makes great sense, Eaton to a corner and two OF spots get better defensively, and LaRoche and Garcia platoon a lineup spot. Because Eaton can move back to CF when needed, Garcia can also effectively spell all three OF positions. With Latos, Rollins, and now Jackson, the White Sox look like the Offseason Bargain Bin Champs.
Jeez, I forget Avila as well. Great job value-wise it seems for all those guys.
These late signings are continuing to be such a bargain. $5M is a great deal for the Sox.
Also, it is interesting seeing several players steer clear of the Angels. They have no farm system, and FA’s are all but ignoring them. Not a good combo.
Yes. Funny thing, though. At the end of the day it would have made much more sense for the White Sox to sign Ian Desmond for $8M to be their full time shortstop instead of the aged Jimmy Rollins to platoon with Tyler Saladino. It would also have made more sense for the Rangers to ink Austin Jackson to be their full time LF instead of an inexperienced Desmond.
In acquiring Desmond it would also have made more sense for the White Sox to forfeit their compensatory #29 draft pick for a starting SS since they had a protected top-10 selection in June while the Rangers could have had a real OF like Jackson and kept their own #19 first round pick. If and when Josh Hamilton returns, the Rangers also would have had an insurance policy with Jackson in CF should Delino DeShields struggle in 2016.
Bottom line: Both were bargain free agent signings but each team missed the boat on maximizing the player.acquired, especially the Rangers.
Ian Desmond wasn’t worth losing that draft pick. If they wanted to give up that draft pick and sign a FA, then they should have gone big with somebody like Fowler, Heyward, or Cespedes.
The Sox farm system is abysmal and they need every good pick they can get.
Saladino/Rollins will be fine until Anderson is ready.
I am renewing my season tickets with this brilliant move. I can not wait!
Why is everyone praising ajax and hating on avi when they put up almost an identical line? Avi is only 24 and can still turn it around possibly, give the kid a break and let him play.
I don’t see the hate for Avisail Garcia. It was more a way for the White Sox to improve their overall outfield picture by signing Austin Jackson. Barring any other moves this spring and assuming Adam Eaton arm is sound enough to play in the OF, the White Sox starters should be switch-hitting Melky Cabrera in LF, right-handed hitting Jackson in CF and left-handed hitting Eaton in RF. The right-handed hitting Garcia would become the primary platoon option with left-handed hitting Adam LaRoche at DH. Pretty simple concept that betters the White Sox in CF, RF and DH, all with a $5M investment.
All this being said, hopefully the White Sox will take one further step and actually acquire the one element they have missed out on all offseason…another significant upgrade to the middle of their batting order. This was supposed to be with the acquisition of a corner outfielder to match with slugging first baseman Jose Abreu and newly acquired third baseman Todd Frazier. The preference was to add a left-handed hitting power bat like free agent Alex Gordon or trade targets like Carlos Gonzalez, Josh Reddick, Kyle Schwarber, Andre Ethier or Jay Bruce to balance the 3-4-5 slots, but a significant right-handed hitter like FA Yoenis Cespdedes or Justin Upton, along with trade possibilities such as Ryan Braun, Yasiel Puig or Jorge Soler could have been impacting as well. There is still plenty of time for one of these scenarios to play out for the White Sox between now and the summer trade deadline. Make it so Jerry, Kenny and Rick, especially if you have any designs on truly competing for a championship in 2016.
They have let him play, and he was bad. He’s been a negative player every year.
They didn’t put up almost identical lines, but even if they did, Austin Jackson is actually a good defender, while Avi is not.