Edwin Jackson Rumors: Red Sox and Orioles Eyeing Jackson
By Editorial Staff
The market for free agent starting pitcher Edwin Jackson has been extremely slow to develop this offseason. Interest in the Scott Boras client may be getting ready to pick up, as Jackson’s been reportedly offered a deal by the Boston Red Sox. Beyond the Red Sox, it was reported this morning that the Baltimore Orioles would also love to acquire Jackson.
Once they were able to deal Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies, most assumed the Red Sox number one target would become starting pitcher Roy Oswalt. While the veteran right-hander seemed to make the most sense for Boston, it’s now begin reported that the Sox have also offered a contract to Jackson.
It was reported yesterday that the Red Sox may actually prefer signing Jackson over Oswalt. Either way, the Red Sox figure to fill their desire for starting pitching through free agency rather than trade.
While he says they remain a long shot, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have also expressed interest in Jackson this offseason. Connolly hears Baltimore would love to add the right-hander and would even consider handing Jackson a four-year contract.
Many assumed that this was exactly the kind of deal Jackson would command this offseason. Coming off a year in which he posted an ERA of 3.79 over his 199 2/3 innings pitched and still only 28-years-old, Jackson was one of the only young and enticing starters hitting free agency.
But no one’s jumped at Jackson, and the longer he remains available the more people question the size and length of the deal he will eventually sign. As we’ve seen in the past, when Boras feels the market isn’t right for his clients he has them sign one-year deals. One has to only think back to Adrian Beltre and the agreement he reached with the Red Sox a few years ago.
The same could happen this offseason with Jackson, and the result could be another Boras client heading to Boston.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.