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After signing a four-year, $52 million contract with the Chicago Cubs three offseasons ago, Edwin Jackson was looked at as the solution at the No. 2 starter spot. After all, he had thrown a no-hitter and looked dominant at times. However, he has struggled so extensively that he’s not even in the rotation anymore. The time has come, though, for the team to give him a shot at the fifth starter spot.
This season, the Cubs’ rotation has lacked depth with the fifth starter spot being especially ineffective. Travis Wood was given a shot to start the year, but after several starts, it was clear he wasn’t getting the job done. Then Tsuyoshi Wada was given a chance after returning from injury.
He struck out nine batters in five innings and looked great in his first start. Since then, he hasn’t been able to hit the strike zone, and when he does, he gets hit hard.
Jackson has looked good out of the bullpen lately, and now it’s time for him to get his chance. He’s making $13 million a year, so they might as well try to put him to better use than long relief. On top of that, he’s shown that he has a higher ceiling than either of the other two pitchers to occupy the fifth starter spot this season.
If he can even regain 80 percent of his previous form, he could solidify the fifth starter spot for the Cubs and make the rotation that much deeper. On top of that, he would likely pitch with a newfound desperation, knowing this may be his last chance to start for the Cubs.
While many Cubs fans have grown weary of Jackson because of his disappointing last two seasons, it’s time to give him one last chance. At just 31 years old, he still has plenty left in the tank. Now the Cubs need to give him a chance to show them just how much he has left.
