Blue Jays reportedly “looked at” Edwin Jackson

The Blue Jays have apparently “looked at” free-agent starter Edwin Jackson to solidify their incredibly unstable rotation ahead of Opening Day.

According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, who spoke with Bob McCown and Stephen Brunt of the FAN 590’s Prime Time Sports Monday, the Blue Jays have “looked at” free-agent reliever Edwin Jackson.

Davidi mentioned that the Blue Jays are still in the process of polishing their pitching staff ahead of Thursday’s home opener. The team also made the signing of reliever Daniel Hudson official Monday morning.

More from Jays Journal

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

Jackson, 35, spent the 2018 season with the Oakland Athletics, pitching to an ERA of 3.33 in 92.0 innings, striking out 68 and walking just 37.

Earlier in the winter, Athletics beat writer Susan Slusser reported that Jackson would be interested in a reunion with Oakland.

Over the course of his 16-year MLB career, the native of Neu-Ulm, Germany has donned the uniforms of the Dodgers, Rays, Tigers, White Sox, D-Backs, Nationals, Cardinals, Cubs, Braves, Marlins, Padres, Orioles, and Nationals.

He also was a Blue Jay for less than a day in July 2011, when he was acquired by the club from the White Sox in exchange for Jason Frasor and Zach Stewart, and then was sent to St. Louis for Colby Rasmus, P.J. Walters, Trever Miller, and Brian Tallet.

An experienced veteran, Jackson has racked up 1456 career strikeouts in over 1850 innings, boasting a career ERA of 4.60 and a cumulative record of 104-123. In 394 career major-league outings, he’s been worth a WAR of 10.5, according to Baseball Reference. He was an American League All-Star in 2009 as a member of the Tigers.

While he might not be a complete solution to the Blue Jays’ rotation woes, he could be a serviceable replacement, especially if he’s available at the right price.