The Cubs are still in play for free-agent right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson, according to CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman, despite the reported agreement of a deal with starting pitcher Carlos Villanueva.
Heyman also notes the Rangers have interest in Jackson, while the Padres are out of the race after refusing to go higher than a three-year offer.
The Indians are also in talks with Jackson, according to FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.
Along with Villanueva, the Cubs' rotation is expected to feature Matt Garza, Jeff Samardzija and Scott Feldman. Free-agent acquisition Scott Baker is also expected to join the rotation once fully recovered from Tommy John surgery. Travis Wood is the likely candidate to fill Baker's slot in the rotation in the meantime.
If the Cubs were to sign Jackson or add another member to the rotation, it would likely move Wood out of the picture altogether and mean a potential return to the bullpen for Feldman once Baker is healthy. Feldman made 23 starts and 17 relief appearances for the Rangers over the last two years.
Jackson, 29, went 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 168 strikeouts in 189 2/3 innings for the Nationals in 2012.
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