Nationals make another move in arms race by signing Jackson
The Nationals made a good move by signing right-handed starting pitcher Edwin Jackson to a one-year deal on Thursday. Now, they have the kind of problem that general managers simply smile about -- they've got too much starting pitching.
Jackson went 12-9 last year with a 3.79 ERA in 32 games (31 starts with White Sox and then Cardinals) and helped St. Louis rally to get to the playoffs and win the World Series.
He joins an already crowded rotation in Washington.
Gio Gonzalez (16-12, 3.12 with the A's), Stephen Strasburg (1-1, 1.50), Jordan Zimmermann (8-11, 3.18), Chien Ming-Wang (4-3, 4.04) and John Lannan (10-13, 3.70) already were there.
In addition, Ross Detwiler is waiting.
That's why this move would seem to signal that the Nationals will make a deal at some point, probably involving left-hander Lannan (10-13, 3.70), who looked like he'd be the No. 5 starter heading into spring training, or at least battle for that spot.
But general manager Mike Rizzo said in a conference call on Thursday, don't assume the Nationals will swing a deal right away.
"We did not acquire Edwin Jackson to trade another starting pitcher," Rizzo said.
However, they've now got the option of doing that, and teams love to have options, especially when it comes to starting pitching.
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