Wednesday morning's hot rumor came together with remarkable speed. There was talk that the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays were discussing an Edwin Jackson trade, and now, courtesy of Buster Olney and countless others, we see that it's been completed:
Edwin Jackson Trade Sends Righty, Mark Teahen To Blue Jays For Jason Frasor, Zach Stewart
Zach Stewart and Jason Frasor go from CWS for Edwin Jackson and Mark Teahen.
Like the Jonny Gomes trade on Tuesday, this is a strange fit for Jackson and the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays are 51-52 and Jackson is a free agent after the season, so it doesn't seem like there's any compelling reason for them to want him. But all the talk right now is that the Jays will turn around and deal Jackson to the Cardinals as part of a package for Colby Rasmus. Nothing's guaranteed, but that's a way to make this trade make more sense.
Trading Teahen along with Jackson allows the White Sox to shed some salary, which they’ve wanted to do, despite their charge to the playoffs. The underachieving Teahen is under contract for a few more million dollars in 2011 and $5.5 million in 2012. Jackson is also still due a few million over the remainder of the year.
In Frasor, the White Sox land a quality right-handed reliever with a 2012 club option. Over the last three years, Frasor’s posted a 3.08 ERA with nearly a strikeout an inning, and he’ll help to stabilize what’s been an inconsistent bullpen.
Finally, Stewart is a 24-year-old righty starter who’s been pitching at the double-A level, with a brief cup of coffee in the majors. He is a low-upside, back-of-the-rotation sort who isn’t far away, especially if he shifts to the bullpen.
So! The White Sox shed salary while adding to their bullpen, while the Jays prepare to make a push for Colby Rasmus. Who said the trade deadline is always a disappointment?
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