The Red Sox reportedly made an offer to free-agent starter Roy Oswalt. But they may also be going after another free-agent hurler, Edwin Jackson.
According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Sox have made offers to Jackson and are presently in discussions with the 28-year-old right-hander. Bowden reports that, according to a source, the Sox may actually prefer Jackson over Oswalt.
Jackson — a Scott Boras client — has been seeking around a five-year deal throughout this offseason, but that seems to have become an unrealistic ambition, especially with starters like C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle already finding new homes.
Jackson finished last season at 12-9 with a 3.79 ERA overall. He began the season with the White Sox, but finished the season with the World Series champion Cardinals. The righty went 5-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) down the stretch for St. Louis.
Jackson has pitched for six different teams during his nine major league seasons, compiling a 60-60 record with a 4.46 ERA.
Jackson has shown an ability to stay healthy and provide innings throughout his career, though, which is an asset to any ballclub. He twirled 199 2/3 innings in 2011, and eclipsed the 200-inning mark in both 2009 and 2010.
