San Diego Padres Overpaying for Edwin Jackson Would Be Big Rebuilding Error

The San Diego Padres have been in the market for another starting pitcher, and according to MLB Trade Rumors, their front office is aggressively pursuing Edwin Jackson. 

Furthermore, Fox’s Ken Rosenthal reports the Padres are exploring offering Jackson a four-to-five-year contract worth between $12-13 million dollars per season. To put this into perspective, Dan Haren’s recent deal with the Washington Nationals is one year for $13 million. 

If you’re familiar with the Padres' offseason moves, Dan Haren was supposedly on San Diego's shortlist of desired pitchers. I don’t know many people, if any, who would argue Jackson is a more talented pitcher than Haren. 

The Padres have been a relatively successful franchise by precisely avoiding moves like these. Sure, the new O’Malley ownership has deeper pockets than past owners, however, they still need to be fiscally responsible and spend their money wisely. 

Wouldn’t the Padres be better suited allocating that money towards a Chase Headley extension?

Last year, Jackson had a spectacularly unremarkable season. The Nationals starter finished with a 10-11 record and a 4.03 ERA— which would be decent or acceptable statistics if they happened to be a career worst. However, in the veteran’s 10-year career, he averaged a 4.40 ERA, lost more games than he won and has an incredibly high 1.438 WHIP.

Why would the Padres give such a contract to someone so undeserving? 

General manager Josh Byrnes has been fairly vocal about the possibility of acquiring a starting pitcher via trade rather than through free agency. Which, in my opinion, is the right way to pursue things given the lack of affordable starting pitching.

What do you think? Who should the Padres pursue?

Update: MLBTR reports the Cubs and Rangers are the final contenders for Jackson and the Padres didn't want to make a long commitment 

Update: Jon Heyman of CBS reports via Twitter the Cubs and Jackson have agreed to a deal 

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