Veteran righty Edwin Jackson has exercised his opt-out clause with the Nationals, per Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post (via Twitter). He is expected to be released by the organization tomorrow.
Jackson, 34, spent the 2012 season in D.C. and returned to D.C. last year to help fill a rotation void. He re-joined the club on a minors deal that deal would have paid him at a $1.5MM rate in the majors, with up to $1.4MM in incentives.
Most opt-out provisions allow a player to decide whether to exercise the clause. If triggered, the team then has a period of time within which to decide whether to add the player to the MLB roster. In this case, it appears from the report that the team has already made up its mind to grant Jackson his release, though in theory the Nats could presumably decide to elevate him to the majors.
Jackson certainly has produced solid results thus far at Triple-A Syracuse. Through ten starts, he owns a 3.40 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9. Of course, there’s also no evidence of any particular changes that would allow Jackson to produce better numbers than he has of late in the majors. Since the start of the 2013 season, he has thrown 531 2/3 innings of 5.32 ERA ball at the game’s highest level.
In any event, the Nationals are evidently disinclined to make a 40-man move in order to hang onto Jackson. There’s no room in the rotation at present, though presumably he could have been utilized in a relief capacity, as he has with some frequency in recent seasons. Jackson will head back onto the open market in hopes of finding a more promising path back to the big leagues.
Every time he’s on the market, I always hope he signs with a new team. I think he’s already appeared for 12 teams if I remember correctly, and I think it would be cool to see that number keep going up.
Why? He’d just take someone’s more deserving place on a 40 man roaster.
Stick a fork in him, he’s done.
Though I will say, I think he might do well if he headed to Japan.
I don’t mean permanently; even if I did, he’s better than some of the fringe 40-man guys that some teams have anyway.
Either way, there’s always a need for spot starters. Even if he does what Sean O’Sullivan did for the Red Sox a few years ago when he’d make a start, get DFAed and clear waivers, and get promoted to start again, then whatever. I’m just saying I want to see him keep making appearances for different teams to keep the number going up.
Agreed! The Orioles could use him as he could be any worse than the collection they have now.
Two points:
1. Players signed to minor league contracts don’t go on the 40 man.
2. When a young player is taken off the 40 man, that’s a good thing for him: it’s an opportunity to get picked up by a team that actually wants to play him in the majors, instead of being stuck in the minors on a team that has no use for him.
There are dozens of players in triple A right now who would love to be taken off the 40 man.
Edwin Jackson and Jeff Samardzija are still around and in the news today. There is a demand for their services.
Amazing.
And MLB is talking up expansion. LOL Next time MLB expands, lots of pitching coaches and retired position players will be finding agents to represent them. Mediocrity vs. mediocrity has a place in fantasy baseball, and soon on numerous other gambling platforms.
“Mediocre players don’t deserve a spot on a 40 man roster. It takes up room of someone more deserving.”
“An expansion team would only breed more mediocre players.”
So much is it? Not enough 40 man slots for prospects? Or too many mediocre players?
bradthebluefish;
Been watching MLB off and on for over 60 years. Fundamentals started giving way badly about 25-30 years ago. Then came the Ivy League MBA’s with their computer stats and the game has turned into some sort of wiffle ball.
Look – like the NBA and NFL, there are a handful of quality teams. Most are either rebuilding, or on their way to admitting that they have to. I doubt that 10 of the rosters have 12 decent MLB players on it. So the FO’s now look at stats, and are forever changing their roster, calling up players from the high minors for a series or two, and/or trading one nondescript player for another one thinking that they can get the player to tweak this or that resulting in improving the chances of the team winning. Stolen bases, hit-and-runs, moving runners over, etc. are dead. Saw an amazing stat the other day – teams only score a runner from 3B with less then 2 outs 40% of the time. The game is now for fantasy league players and gamblers. The overwhelming majority of the fans in the stands are bored silly.
Think he should have been turned into a reliever years ago. Probably too late now.
Still can’t believe He’s only 34
Right! He’s been around for like 15 years Lol
Mr. Cashman look away!!
I think Cashman is on the phone already!
He should be a clubhouse grader
Cubs have Darvish on the DL, and Chatwood walks so many batters, I can’t believe I am saying this but… Edwin Jackson needs to come back to the Cubs.
Cardinals need rotation help, come back to the Cards.
San Diego doesn’t want him back
Is this a joke? The Cardinals have about 15 options that are all more promising. Half of which wouldn’t require a 40 man roster move. The Cardinals need bullpen help and a bat, but the rotation is just fine.
Facts
No they don’t
The Cards have much better options! But could use another power bat!
Cubs gave him a $8M signing bonus. Now Cubs can now have him for the minimum.
Padres could use an innings eater
Do they need a BP pitcher?
“Innings eater” always makes me chuckle because it’s intended to compliment a guy that eats up innings, but with a high ERA you’re getting bad innings from him.
No
Never again
Mets could use the help
34? Giants lock
Must be a Trump fan, where facts don’t matter. No one on the Giants staff is that age.
What exactly has Donald Trump got to do with baseball or Edwin Jackson for that matter. You must be quite a deal challenged in a number of departments, however, going by your comment that is not a surprise at all.
Could be because I think MadBum is getting traded any day now. Don’t be surprised if he ends up in the Bronx in Pinstripes. Yankees still have Florial and can add another stud like German to the offer.
I’m thinking he should look to make one last decent paycheck in Asia.
He is terrible. Retirement is right around the corner!
Mariners rotation can use an upgrade, though idk how much of an upgrade Edwin Jackson would be.
Texas loves veterans of yesteryear. They my take a flyer on him.
I’m trying to come up with a major league SP who Jackson would be an upgrade from, and the only 2 names that come to mind are Homer Bailey and Josh Tomlin.
Technically Tomlin is in the bullpen now, but as an Indians fan I also think that anyone would be an upgrade over him
Right. Tomlin even makes the possibility of bringing back Ubaldo Jimenez appealing.
Wow! Jackson is only 34? He’s been around for like 15 years
Wow! Jackson is only 34? He’s been around for like 15 years! Wow