What to Do with Edwin Jackson

Smile Rays fans. This is a great problem to have.

The guys over at Rays Index came up with an interesting problem (not really a problem but you'll see) the team faces next season. No, it doesn't have to do with right field or where exactly to put David Price or if the Rays can repeat. They want to know what to do with Edwin Jackson. I'd trade him, and here's why.

1) The Rays have more pitchers. Scott Kazmir, James Shields, and Matt Garza could blossom into a dominant front three until at least 2012 (2014 for Shields). After that, Sonnanstine is a fine number four starter whose FIP says he should have been a sub-4 ERA pitcher (3.91). Just when you think that's enough, David Price, Wade Davis, and Jeremy Hellickson are there to fill in that last spot in the rotation. Considering the love David Price keeps getting, he might end up making that dominant front three a dominant front four with him as the number two guy. Wade Davis is no slouch with a 3.85 ERA at AA that dipped to 2.72 in 53 AAA innings. Hellickson started the season at High-A ball with a 2 ERA before going up to AA and having a 3.94 ERA, and he had 79 K in 75.1 IP (only 15 BB). That doesn't even mention guys like Chris Mason (bad year but could bounce back), Mitch Talbot (3.86 ERA in AAA), and Jeff Niemann (3.59 ERA in AAA). There are plenty more options that are actually good options instead of just decent ones.

2) Jackson was the fifth-best starter on the team. If there's one place in the rotation on which to gamble, it's the fifth spot, and with all those options, it doesn't seem much of a gamble. I think at least one could match his 4.42 ERA and 183.1 IP. What about you? Plus, the Rays really didn't need or use him in the post-season.

3) Teams still believe he has "potential". That's what happens when teams (Dodgers) move the kids too quickly. People think he has finally started developing, so as of right now, people will be willing to deal some good players for him. His stuff is good (probably closer to great), but his command has always been off (3.78 BB/9). Sure, that could come down and Jackson could become an ace pitcher, but it's just as likely that he turns into Daniel Cabrera and just frustrates you with his talent. There are other guys in the system with as much "potential". Oh yeah, add Jake McGee to the list (even though he just had TJ and sat out last season).

4) He shouldn't be used as a middle reliever. Rays Index is right. You don't want to spend $2-3M on a reliever. If you really want to, sign a free-agent whose had success as a reliever, but I generally feel that is a bad thing. Plus, those other options (Jeff Niemann and Jake McGee, especially) could be placed in the bullpen, giving the Rays cheaper bullpen options that have plenty of upside. Oh yeah, let's all remember that 5.45 ERA he had as a reliever in 2006.

5) Don't count on him as a closer. There are other guys in the system with great arms (ie. the guys I just mentioned) that could be just as good and just as ready. With Jackson's iffy command, it's suspect to put him in such an important position.

6) He would be great for an NL team. Getting out of the AL East where he continually faces the Red Sox, Yankees, and, to a lesser extent, the Blue Jays should help Jackson's ERA, and the obvious difference in offense between the two leagues would help him. NL teams would really see the "potential" in him.

7) Use the $2-3M somewhere else. Sign Juan Rivera to play right. Draft a player without worrying about the costs. Make a run at the really good Latin American prospects. Just don't spend it on your fifth-best pitcher when he probably isn't your fifth-best pitcher.

The worries are always there. Will he blossom somewhere else (and the irrational thought of if he would have done it there, especially if he's sent to the NL)? Do we have enough depth (no one likes giving up young pitching, but he's moving into arbitration and the Rays have enough depth even though they certainly won't be as lucky injury-wise as they were last year. Still, it's hard to imagine a Braves-like injury list, and if that happens, you're SOL anyway)? Jackson is cheap to other teams, especially NL ones who figure him to be a no.3 guy, but the Rays need to save some money. Here's an easy way. The only drawback I see is that the Rays haven't received a very good offer so far, and thus, haven't dealt him. But, teams always need starters. They, in fact, crave them and would be willing to overpay (or at least fully pay) for a cheap 25-year old. Once some of the free-agent options go, teams will be more willing to listen. Teams who might -- Mets, Nationals, Braves, Cardinals, Pirates, Astros, Dodgers (wouldn't that be funny), Rockies.