MLB Trade Rumors speculates that the Pirates could be a bidder for free agent starting pitcher Edwin Jackson.
↵↵↵Though he's had some moderate AL East success, I don't expect the Yankees and Red Sox to seriously enter the mix. I could see the Orioles, Blue Jays, Royals, Twins, Marlins, Nationals, Cubs, Pirates, and Rockies as matches for Jackson instead.
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Jackson would make a lot of sense for the Pirates. He's been inconsistent, but he's had bursts of effectiveness, and he soaks up innings. He's also fairly young. He throws hard, and Pirates GM Neal Huntington loves pitchers who have great stuff.
↵Unfortunately, there will be lots of bidders for Jackson, and it's very hard for the Pirates to persuade decent free agents to come to Pittsburgh. It's not unreasonable to suspect that he'll only come to Pittsburgh if the Bucs overpay for him. This is one reason it would have made sense for the Pirates to pick up Paul Maholm's $9 million option, but unfortunately, they didn't do that.
↵For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout.