The Cubs have made "strong progress" on a deal for pitcher Edwin Jackson, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman mentioned the team as a suitor for Jackson on Wednesday.
Olney says the deal that they’ve discussed with Jackson is for four years, $52 million. Jackson, who has played for seven teams during his 10-year career, has never spent four straight years with one team.
The 29-year-old Jackson has been an effective pitcher since 2009. Last season, he went 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA and a 3.85 FIP in 189 2/3 innings with the Nationals. He only signed a one-year deal with the team after the market for starters dried up last offseason.
This move would likely complete the Cubs' rotation makeover. The team has already signed Scott Baker and Scott Feldman this offseason. Baker is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The team also came to terms earlier this week with Carlos Villanueva, who has been used as both a starter and a reliever during his career.
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