Roy Oswalt, Red Sox may not be a match - Peter Abraham

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/01/26/jackson-not-oswalt-could-target-for-red-sox/QuRftwOeBcMl9Ps3zlq1xI/story.html

Although an unheralded member of this free agent class, Jackson could prove to be a wise investment given that he is in the prime of his career and has continued to improve.
ESPN’s Jim Bowden reported that the Red Sox had made an offer to Jackson and preferred him to Oswalt. But Boston general manager Ben Cherington would not comment specifically on Jackson.
“We’re still considering several options, including sitting tight,’’ he said.
The Red Sox have Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, and Jon Lester set atop their rotation. As it stands, the final spots will be determined in spring training. Daniel Bard, Alfredo Aceves, and a cast of veterans signed to minor league deals are among the possibilities.


Jackson has gone from can't miss phenom to bust to steady veteran. He's no All Star but I think on the balance he could be a good pitcher. With the decline in hitting in the past several years, perhaps attributable to reduced steroid usage, pitchers like Jackson have become somewhat of a commodity. I'll take him. Let's just not overpay for him.