Diamondbacks Sign OF Jon Jay and RHP Edwin Jackson
By Karl Rasmussen
The Arizona Diamondbacks had a busy Monday, locking down some late-offseason signings before spring training gets underway.
Per reports, the D-Backs have reached deals with veteran outfielder Jon Jay and right-hander Edwin Jackson.
Diamondbacks Sign Jon Jay, Edwin Jackson https://t.co/XrMhESYAq9 pic.twitter.com/hYGW6vcjts
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) February 3, 2020
Both Jay and Jackson have had previous stints with the Diamondbacks. Jay played 84 games in half a season for the Snakes in 2018 while Jackson, who has played for just about every franchise in the sport, made 21 starts for the club in 2010.
In 2019, Jay appeared in just 47 games for the White Sox after missing much of the season due to injury. He slashed .267/.311/.315 with zero homers and nine RBI. Hopefully, with a clean bill of health, he'll find a way to produce and crack a spot on the big-league roster.
As for Jackson, he's coming off a rough 2019 campaign in which he posted a -2.4 WAR. The 36-year-old spent time with the Jays and Tigers, posting a combined ERA of 9.58 (!!) across 18 appearances (13 starts).
The #Dbacks will pay Jon Jay $1.5 million if he makes their big-league team with another $1.75 million in incentives in his return to Arizona.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 3, 2020
At best, the moves for Jay and Jackson represent depth acquisitions, but both are low-risk deals that could end up paying off for Arizona.