LA Angels: Three Free Agents That Can Make the Team Contenders

Edwin Jackson

Last year, the MLB was given a shock as the supposedly rebuilding Oakland Athletics nearly won 100 games. So far this offseason, coincidental or not, the Angels have dipped their hands into the A’s pot in free agency. They signed Jonathan Lucroy and Trevor Cahill, both big contributors for the Halo’s NorCal rivals.

Now, they have a chance to sign the entire trio. The Angels can be the 14th team of Jackson’s career, and they’d be huge beneficiaries if so. The 35-year old Jackson hurled his way to a 3.33 ERA last year and, like Gonzalez, would give the Angels the option to extend their rotation to six pitchers.

Unlike Gonzalez, Jackson provides value out of the bullpen as well. He has made 89 career relief appearances, and while the results have been mixed, it does still add to his value. However, Jackson still is best used as a back-of-the-rotation starter at this point of his career.

Another factor worth noting is that Jonathan Lucroy was his catcher then and was almost assuredly a large part in his career revival in Oakland. Jackson has stated he’d like to continue his career with the same team, but wouldn’t the second best option be rejoining the catcher who was vital to a strong 2018 for Jackson?