The Cubs sure don’t want to be left out of playoffs, and to help prevent that they’ve acquired more outfield depth in the form of 28-year old Austin Jackson.
This trade may sound bizarre at first, as the Cubs’ outfield has displayed both solid bats and gloves this year. Dexter Flower has scored 84 runs (ranked 6th in the league), Kyle Schwarber has been outstanding since being called up, and Chris Coghlan has been consistent all year.
However, when you think playoff-caliber, you don’t think of average players; you think of someone like Jorge Soler who, unfortunately for the Cubs, is sidelined for a minimum of 15 days.
That’s why this trade makes sense for the Cubbies.
The Mariners will receive an international free agency bonus slot and a player to be named later or $1.
The Cubs are only renting Austin Jackson, as he is due free agency this offseason and the Cubs most likely won’t give him a qualifying offer. He is still owed roughly $1.3 million of his $7.7 million salary.
Austin Jackson is batting for a .272 average to go along with his 15 stolen bases, 46 runs scored, and 38 runs batted in..
The Cubs have a comfortable 5.5 game lead for the second wild card spot with a 77-55 overall record.
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