Austin Jackson Traded to Chicago Cubs

Mariners interim general manager Jeff Kingston announced the trade.

While the trade benefits both clubs, the Cubs side is more significant now.

Jackson has postseason experience, having played on three different playoff teams with Detroit.

The Seattle Mariners have reportedly shipped Austin Jackson to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later and global slot money.

Jackson, 28, is a pending free agent and, with a current salary of $7.7 million, did not figure in the Mariners’ future plans. Let’s take this one apart, shall we?

Giving Fowler the qualifying offer is an obvious move, according to a source familiar with the team’s thinking, who said it still would have been the smart play even if he hadn’t become red-hot after an uneven first half.

He will likely come off the bench for the Cubs, amidst a platoon of bench players who have been filling in for the injured Jorge Soler. We just need to get him out there so he’s comfortable. He’s been banged up some, and Jackson could help improve the Cubs’ outfield depth and defense.

And now the fun part. They have been disappointing this season, and sit 11 games back of the first place Houston Astros in the AL West. The Mariners, on the other hand, are one of the biggest disappointments in the league. It’s unlikely the M’s netted a top prospect in return, but at least they received something. Which was the goal, of course.

All in all, this is a great move that costs the Cubs close to nothing.

In case you missed it, Rodney was acquired for cash considerations and Jackson was picked up for a player to be named later and an global signing slot. That’s a valuable asset! And so for that reason alone, it’s a good trade.

Jackson was hitting. 272 (114 for 419) with 18 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 38 RBI in 107 games this season.

The most important thing of all though, the Cubs are finally once again playing meaningful baseball in September. They’re trading a dime for a gold-plated nickel that has a non-zero chance of turning into Felix Hernandez, or something like that.

It is hard to explain why Austin Jackson’s numbers have dropped off so dramatically. He grades out as an above average center fielder. Miller hasn’t really developed as a shortstop, but the team is still looking for a way to keep him involved. Rookie Ketel Marte is the Mariners’ new shortstop. Meanwhile all Miller’s done is play well there. It’ll give us something to watch this last month, at least.