The Diamondbacks have announced minor-league deals with outfielder Jon Jay and righty Edwin Jackson. The club also confirmed previously reported signings of John Hicks and Trayce Thompson.
All four veterans will be in MLB camp with the Snakes. It stands to reason that all will have some shot at earning a big-league job to open the season. The D-Backs will have a 26th roster spot to work with and could go in any number of directions to utilize it.
Jay, 34, is at his best a high-average hitter that can handle any outfield spot defensively. He’s looking for a bounceback after a rough 2019 season. While he swung a solidly above-average bat in his early days in the league, Jay has slashed just .271/.337/.348 since the start of the 2015 season. Jay would earn $1.5MM in the majors, with $1.75MM in possible incentives, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (Twitter link).
The 36-year-old Jackson will regrettably not be competing in camp for a chance to extend his MLB record of pitching with 14 different organizations. He spent time with Arizona back in 2010. Jackson had a brutal 9.58 ERA in 67 2/3 big-league frames last year, but was able to spin 92 innings of 3.33 ERA ball in the season prior. The D-Backs won’t expect much, but can hope that Jackson represents rotation depth and perhaps a long relief option.
“oh no, Jackson’s already played for that team”
That was my exact thoughts. I wanted the Pirates to sign him so he could add another team to his never-ending list.
Pirates would have made a little sense to sign him. I was rooting for it also… there is still time lol
He’d be their number 3 starter.
Another first place ribbon
Aren’t Jon Jay and Edwin Jackson basically the same player now?
Darn was hoping Jackson would add a new team to his resume
Be patient. If Boston trades Price, they may kick the tires on Jackson.
3 for 4 of ex-Wsox players.
Thought the same thing lol
Ex cubs players too for Jon Jay Jackson
About 8 former Cardinals could be on OD roster
How is Edwin Jackson only 36 feels like he’s been around forever
To be fair he did make his MLB debut way back in 2003 on 09/09/03, which happened to be his 20th birthday. So he has been around forever.
And he beat some guy named Randy Johnson who at the time was 1 day short of his 40th birthday.
He has been around forever. Just started earlier than most. Was supposed to be an up and coming super stud pitcher for the Dodgers. Instead, he got named MVP by Travago.
I know there was a poll recently about the Diamondbacks offseason and I’m on mobile so can’t reference it for results, but the eye test tells me their front office is running on all cylinders at the moment. These are solid depth moves and this is how teams having winning seasons. We’ll see if the results are there, but management doing its part.
Wow I’m on mobile and I can see the results. Hmmm funny j weird. Ha
The Diamondbacks have added a veteran outfielder! Great job, guys. And it looks like you also added… wait a sec… Edwin Jackson? What is this sorcery?
(P.S: I am a Blue Jays fan. I followed the Blue Jays in 2019. I would not wish the Edwin Jackson curse on any team (except maybe the Yankees). That man cannot pitch in the major leagues anymore to save his life.
Jon Jay is a former D-Back as well.
Hey Jays fan…I thought the Blue Jays would have signed Jay to minor league deal.
I agree. It was a horror movie watching Edwin Jackson pitch for the Jays.
Man the bluejays is a trash team don’t matter who the pitcher the couldn’t play defense or hit
Jay is not a bad add on a minor league deal. Ejax…….meh.
How does Edwin Jackson keep getting chances?
He never gets hurt, so if a team is looking for a #5 innings eater, Jackson fits the bill.. Aside from that, ain’t much to get excited about.
Finally the Dbacks ink the first Chief Justice in this nations history.
i like the Jay addition. he was a productive hitter as recently as his 2018 D-Backs stint and wasnt healthy enough to be productive last year. good bounce back candidate.
The D-Backs look so smart this off season. Looking forward to seeing if it pays off with wins.
Jay could be huge for this team.
Jay is a nice little pickup. I’ve always thought he was better than the reputation he was given
I never did understand What the big advantage was for the Cardinals in Trading away Jon Jay. At that time he was a fine leadoff hitter. Always hit around .300 and was a good defender & good base runner. A quiet team member who always took the younger players under his wing to help improve them. Cardinals picked “whiner Coby Rasmus and his “want be a manager” Father. I’ve always wished the Cards had kept Jon Jay!!!
At least when Jon Jay comes to St. Louis with the Diamondbacks, Yadi will give Jon Jay an overwhelming “thank you!” Standing Ovation!!!
Umm… Rasmus was traded in 2011, Jon Jay was traded in 2015.
That’s Miss Jackson if you’re nasty
So the Diamondbacks sign Methuselah, I mean Edwin Jackson. How that guy keeps getting a gig is beyond me.
Maybe Edwin Jackson magically becomes a different pitcher in short relief if his velocity ticks up? Seemed to work for Ian Kennedy and others.
I’ve been wondering for many years why he or one of his many teams hasn’t initiated a try at short relief. He obviously has a great arm in terms of durability and velocity. Maybe he refused and that’s why he has played for so many teams?
As a starter, Jackson would slot in at about #16 on the depth chart. As a long reliever, he might be about #6. Not much chance we’ll see him unless there were an unprecedented number of injuries.
Jay might have a better shot, maybe only the 5th option for the #4 OF.
Jay probably makes the team as an extra Outfielder/Pinchhitter.
Jackson is probably hoping to catch another teams attention in spring training as there is no clear path for him on the D’backs roster.
Problem with Jay is that the Dbacks highly value position diversity. They had infielders Ildemaro Vargas, Andy Young, Seth Beer, Josh Rojas, etc. doing special outfield training exercises last week. The Dbacks are more likely to have those versatile players on their roster. Jay would only be considered if Tim Locastro went down with an injury.
Great to hear they are holding try outs for more outfield flexibility. Seems like a good athlete can figure it out, like Ketel did, especially with Dave McKay’s excellent coaching. I like their switch hitters there—Vargas and Leyba because they also play good at all infield positions, giving them more flexibility in double switches. Beer will never be a serious outfielder on Hazen’s team because he’s too slow and we value defense/outs too much.
There are 5 bench spots available on the Dbacks. 1 goes to backup catcher Steven Vogt.. the 2nd goes to Tim Locastro, who can play all 3 OF positions. Jake Lamb will backup 3b and 1b if he isn’t traded and takes spot #3. The other 2 will be infielders who can also play OF corners if needed. Ildemaro Vargas is at the front of that line, followed by out of options Domingo Leyba, Josh Rojas and Andy Young. So 4 strong candidates for the last 2 positions. Don’t see Jay crashing that Parte!
Agree. They should only have one strictly outfield backup—Tim Lacastro—because he brings great defense, base-running and decent on base to all three positions.
Jon Jay is so damn overrated and basically worthless. I just don’t see what teams see in him? No power. No arm. No speed. No defense. Singles hitter. Blah.
Agree. You need to bring more than that if you want to join this year’s Dbacks Parte!
He signed a minor league deal, so that’s pretty much what teams see in him too. He’s there for his experience, every team picks up veteran guys to help the kids
Edwin Jackson is the new Bartolo Colon.
LOL, no. Colon was effective for a number of consecutive seasons; Jackson is the prototype for inconsistency. Jackson still has good enough stuff, he just can’t locate his pitches.
Jay is a very nice pickup. Jackson’s just trying to squeeze one more year in the sun.
Jay is sunburned because he’s somehow already squeezed about 3 extra years in the sun with another to come. And if one more person comments he can play defense and run well, then turn in your baseball credibility card at the login site.
It’s a minor league deal. Relax.
Sox signed Jay to lure Machado last year.
D-Backs are gonna be good this year. Liked adding Starlin Marte and Bumgarner. Nice rotation if Weaver comes back healthy and can build of his, albeit truncated, 2019. Also expect Carson Kelly to do better this year. I think he wore down as the year wore on. If he hits .260 with 20+ HR, he’s a Top 3 NL catcher.
Look at it this way, somewhere out there are devoted Edwin Jackson fans and think about how great it would be to have an Edwin Jackson jersey from every team he played on. And I don’t know if he has always wore the same number but imagine if he hasn’t and when he does retire they all retire his numbers. And does he get into the HoF for setting the record for having played on the most teams in a career.
Look at it this way, somewhere out there are devoted Edwin Jackson fans and think about how great it would be to have an Edwin Jackson jersey from every team he played on. And I don’t know if he has always wore the same number but imagine if he hasn’t and when he does retire they all retire his numbers. And does he get into the HoF for setting the record for having played on the most teams in a career.