Here's a new name for you in the trade sweepstakes: Edwin Jackson.SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Nationals, amongst other teams, have exhibited interest in Jackson.
Just 26, Jackson already has a no-hitter to his name and delivered a 3.62 ERA in 214 starts for the Tigers last season. He was shipped to Detroit in the Curtis Granderson three-way trade, and has disappointed to date with a 5.01 ERA in 20 starts. However, he's been unlucky on balls in play and baserunners stranded (due, no doubt, in part to the D-Backs' terrible bullpen allowing inherited runs to score) and has actually contributed a xFIP of 4.27 to his team.
Jackson is making $4.2 million on the year and has an $8.35 million payday on the way in 2011 before becoming a free agent at what will be the young age of 28 with parts of nine seasons under his belt after coming up as a 19-year-old with the Dodgers.
The Nationals would love to add a young starter to its burgeoning rotation. Interest in baseball is piquing in Washington and the team is slowly but surely getting better. A Jackson add would give the team a 2011 rotation comprised of Stephen Strasburg, Jackson, Jordan Zimmerman, Jason Marquis and no shortage of solid No. 5 candidates.
This is merely speculation, but since the Tigers and White Sox have exhibited such strong interest in Adam Dunn, perhaps a three-way deal could be engineered to send Jackson to Washington, Dunn to one of the AL Central teams and pitching to 'Zona. The ChiSox could and will dangle Daniel Hudson and other minor-league pieces while the Tigers could make a play by offering Andrew Oliver or Jacob Turner.
If Jackson is traded, Derrick Hall, the CEO of Arizona says Haren won't be dealt, in an earlier MLB Facts and Rumors report . Haren, of course, is one of the bigger names on the block but is looking increasingly unlikely he will be dealt. The Yankees are the front-runners largely they are the Yankees and not because there is an enticing package available.
The Diamondbacks are looking for pitching in return for either, and while the team is in disarray, is still not all that far from contention. Even if Arizona decides to retain both players, it will not be at a cost to future Diamondback squads.
-- Evan Brunell
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