Cubs sign free-agent pitcher Edwin Jackson – MLB News
Chicago Cubs continue strengthening the rotation.
On Wednesday, January 02, the Cubs signed a four-year, $52 million, contract with the free-agent pitcher Edwin Jackson. The move is being seen as one of the biggest and most significant in the offseason as the Cubs brace themselves for remarkably big challenges
ahead.
Reports had started trickling in about this move; but the Cubs preferred staying meticulously quiet. A number of reasons factored into the Cubs’ decision to adopt a more cautious approach on this contract.
Previously it was Anibal Sanchez that the Cubs were reportedly in talks with. However, as the offer – which was of $77 million, leaked to media, what eventually transpired was the Detroit Tigers’ signing Sanchez in $80 million.
Nonetheless, the club did not give up and continued the search for an equally qualified pitcher. The attention then turned to Jackson. As a whole, the Cubs now seem satisfied with the outcome of this pursuit, and – for some, venture.
Among other things, secrecy (to keep the curiosity increasing) coupled with the deliberation over the signing of a free-agent were the main concerns here. That was something that the general manager Jed Hoyer also referred to.
"It's hard to sign free-agent players in general and we knew we were going to go after both guys," Hoyer said. "We did a better job hiding our [meeting with Jackson]."
Why did the club for Edwin? The answer is readily available. He can help the team in 2013 and be a big part of the core of what the Cubs are trying to build at the moment.
"Edwin is 29 years old, and he's had six consecutive seasons making 30-plus starts," Hoyer said. "He's proven his durability and proven his talent, but he's also at an age where we think he can get even better and an age where he fits into what we're trying
to do age-wise and talent-wise with our roster. We felt this was a player who met both criteria.”
With 10-11 record that he had with 4.03 ERA, as he played with the Washington Nationals, Edwin will be an asset for the Cubs’ rotation.
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