Bleacher Bums Forum

Assuming this deal is happening, I really like him as a swing man.  And I really don't like it if he's been guaranteed a rotation spot, because that likely means no Jackson.

Assuming this deal is happening, I really like him as a swing man.  And I really don't like it if he's been guaranteed a rotation spot, because that likely means no Jackson.

I still don't know how good I feel about giving four years to Jackson, so my feelings won't be hurt too badly if Jackson falls through because of this. 

We'll have to see, but I'm still not sure this would keep us out of the running for him, though.  Feldman and Villenueva are both pretty much used to being swing men by now.

Heyman is the one who says a Villanueva deal is done, so with this tweet, I'm assuming Jackson would be in play even if they do sign Villanueva:

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS
Edwin Jackson is in play for #cubs. #rangers have some interest. #padres stopped at 3 yrs and bowed out yesterday.

Questionable source, but...

Phil Rogers ‏@ChiTribRogers
While the Cubs are close to signing Carlos Villanueva -- not done yet, despite reports -- they're still in on Edwin Jackson. Want him too.

If the Cubs get both Jackson and Villanueva, it'll be interesting to see what happens next. 

We know Garza, Samardzija, and Jackson would fill the first three spots in the rotation.  Everything we've heard from the front office makes it sound like Baker and Feldman are being looked at as starters only as well.  So that would leave Wood and Villanueva in the pen.

BUT...given Villanueva's strong preference for starting (it was said earlier in the offseason that he would only sign with a team that was going to let him start), it seems unlikely that he'd sign somewhere that didn't guarantee him at least a shot in spring training to compete for a rotation spot.  So, I would think that signing both of them would mean at least one of two things: (1) they expect enough problems with Garza's or Baker's rehab that they'd have at least one spot open for competition in spring training, or (2) there is more trade interest in Garza than we'd expect despite his injury.

Chances are, the Cubs will miss out on one or both of them, though.  So we probably don't have to worry about any of this.

Looks like we're at least making en effort to be better. Cant knock that at all and if we do suck we should have some real good trading chips. Im enjoying rebuilding.

Man, I'd love to add a really top notch defensive centerfielder.  if we had that, our pitching and defense situation would really be looking terrific.