The Nationals and right-hander Edwin Jackson have agreed to a minor league contract, according to his agents at the ESQ Agency. Jackson’s deal comes with a $1.5MM base salary as well as an additional $1.4MM worth of incentives.
The 34-year-old Jackson returned for a second stint with the Nats in 2017, signing a midseason minor league pact after initially spending time in the Orioles organization. Jackson posted a pristine 0.44 ERA in 20 1/3 Triple-A frames for the Nationals before being called up to the big league roster following Joe Ross’ season-ending Tommy John surgery. He’d go on to make 13 starts for the Nationals down the stretch, registering a 5.07 ERA with 7.4 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and 38 percent ground-ball rate.
Jackson turned in a 2.94 ERA through his first eight starts, though he surrendered a whopping nine home runs through those 49 frames. That susceptibility to the long ball caught up to him over his final five starts, as Jackson was tagged for 24 earned runs in 22 innings of work. That said, he did average 93.6 mph on his heater with the Nationals and turn in an above-average 10.1 percent swinging-strike rate.
[Related: Washington Nationals depth chart]
The Nats will once again rely upon Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark in the top four spots of the rotation this coming season, though the fifth spot looks to be unsettled as Spring Training approaches. Jackson will join the race for that spot, vying with fellow right-handers Erick Fedde, A.J. Cole and Austin Voth as well as left-hander Tommy Milone (who also signed a minor league deal).
Of course, the Nationals have at times been linked to various starting pitching targets on both the free-agent and trade markets, leaving open the possibility that they’ll bring in another option to whom they’ll promise that remaining rotation vacancy.
Can’t believe he’s only 34… seems like he’s been around forever
That’s what happens when you start at like 20 lol. I still can’t believe Felix Hernandez is like 32.
but Felix is good at pitching.
How is he 34? He has to be 44.
Classic dumpster dipping by Mike Rizzo!
Literally every team… every season signs minor league deals??
But of course!….but Jackson has been dug out of the dumpster for many, many seasons, mostly always with the same results.
He was good in the majors as recently as 2015. It’s not unfathomable that he doesn’t help out the major league team with some quality innings.
he was good last season, if you don’t count the last couple of starts he made
He was great in 2018 if you don’t count that he hasn’t pitched yet.
I hope this guy gets to at least appear for two teams he has yet to appear for in the majors. I believe he would then hold the record for most MLB appearances for a different team.
Yup, Dotel played for 13, Jackson is one of a few players at 12
What’s crazy is Dotel had only appeared for two teams when he turned 30 lol
I’ve been hoping for a while that some other teams would sign Jackson for that exact reason
He is only 34 so I bet he easily breaks Dotels record
sleeper move of the year. now the floodgates of free agents will finally open up. this should put the gnats in contention for the ws.
I thought he was older lol. He will end up being the Todd zille of pitchers when it’s all said and done. I lost track of how many teams he has been on
fill up on AAA starters with spring training invites. let them battle it out in spring training and leave depth in AAA. Fedde has the best shot IMO, Cole seems to be more a longshot, but it would be nice to see him finally show major league stuff consistently. Ross will return eventually, so they are really looking for a 5th starter that will keep the seat warm and not wear out the bullpen.
Lance Lynn might be a nice solid FA, but likely too pricey. Cobb and Cashner 2 other options. but I like the above referenced options and then see come trade deadline if it was a poor move or lack of move. of course, this is what the Nats did last year re: the bullpen and it had a pretty costly 1st half of the season re: games lost that could/should have been won. getting Sale last year would have answered this question, but would have cost Robles. I’d rather keep Robles and get Eaton than lose Robles with the likelihood of losing Harper coming up.
Jackson actually has matched Zeile already with 12 teams lol
11 clubs, as he rejoined the Mets in 2004 after having played with them previously. 2000-2001.
Jackson should tell all teams he’s down to play for them, ask to be traded every week and become the first player to play for all the teams
The immortal one
How does he keep getting jobs?
Don’t forget Joe Ross as another one vying for a rotation spot.
Instead of making fun of him, I admire his passion for the game.
When Edwin Jackson signed that 4 year $52 million contract with the Cubs, it included a cool $8M signing bonus, paid upfront (Probably then-record for largest, upfront Signing bonus until Carlos Santana)
Now EJax is signing minor league contracts every year despite being well compensated, and declining these past couple of years.
I’m happy his performance with the Nats last year, transpired Rizzo to give him another chance. Go EJax!!!