Baseball is back. Those are beautiful words to finally hear, and with Spring Training fully underway, Major League clubs are still searching for any opportunity to improve. With almost all the blue chip free-agents off the board, the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles made minor moves over the last two days, signing Austin Jackson and Pedro Alvarez, respectively.
Breaking: Austin Jackson has deal with white sox. $5M.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 6, 2016
Despite only signing for $5 million, Austin Jackson represents Chicago’s most expensive free agent signing this off-season. Jackson bolsters the outfield of the White Sox, and a lineup that also saw the additions of Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie this offseason. However, with Adam Eaton on the roster, Jackson is by no means guaranteed playing time. Jackson will most likely be utilized primarily against left-handed starting pitching, although White Sox Manager Robin Ventura says that Jackson could face right-handers as well. When Jackson is in the lineup, that will almost certainly displace incumbent centerfielder Adam Eaton to the corners or even potentially into the designated hitter’s role.
Starting out in the Majors as a Seattle Mariner in 2015, Jackson was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations and a player to be named later. In 136 games, split between Seattle and the Cubs, Jackson posted a slash line of .267/.311/.385 with nine home runs and forty-eight RBI.
A-Jax had opportunities fore more $ elsewhere, but he preferred to stay and play mostly CF, not LF. #chisox
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 6, 2016
Source confirms: Pedro Alvarez in agreement with #Orioles. First reported: @sdutdennislin.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 7, 2016
After several swings and misses this offseason, the Baltimore Orioles have added depth by signing Pedro Alvarez to a one-year deal. The deal is said to be worth $5.75 million with $1.5 million in incentives. Drafted second overall in 2008 by the Pirates, Alvarez has spent his entire six-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. In 150 games with Pittsburgh this past season, Alvarez slashed .243/.318/.469 with twenty-seven home runs and seventy-seven RBI.
Alvarez has been on orioles radar for a while. They needed the additional lefty bat.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 7, 2016
Alvarez was a fan-favorite in Pittsburgh, in large part due to his playing style, and should quickly endear himself to the fans in Baltimore as well.
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