The Nationals added Gio Gonzalez, above, in December. Today they added Edwin Jackson. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Edwin Jackson has signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals.
The Red Sox had made Jackson an offer.
How about those Nationals?
Since the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals in 2005, the organization hasn’t posted a winning percentage above .500 in any season.
Washington had a .500 winning percentage for 2005, but has had some terrible years since, including going 59-103 for a winning percentage of .364 in 2009 and going 59-102 for a winning percentage of .366 in 2008.
But with the moves the Nationals have made this offseason, they should not only be above .500 but should compete with Philadelphia for the NL East title.
Washington added Gio Gonzalez in late a December trade with the Oakland Athletics and inked Jackson to a one-year deal today.
Washington now has a very strong top three with Jordan Zimmermann (3.18 ERA in 26 starts in 2011), Stephen Strasburg (1.50 ERA in five starts) and Gonzalez (3.12 ERA in 32 starts).
The 28-year-old Jackson went 12-9 with a 3.79 ERA in 32 games, 31 starts, last season for both the White Sox and Cardinals.
He is 60-60 is in his nine-year career with a 4.46 ERA.
Jackson has ace-like stuff. If he can finally reach his potential this season, then the Nats will be a very good team.
