Chicago White Sox Agree To One-Year Deal With Austin Jackson

The Chicago White Sox have made another late addition to their roster, signing speedy outfielder Austin Jackson to a one-year, $5 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

One of the few noteworthy remaining free agents, Jackson was reportedly deciding between the White Sox and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Heyman notes that while the Angels offered Jackson more money, he preferred the opportunity to play more center field.

Jackson choice came down to chisox and angels, it is believed. LAA had more $ but only LF to offer. A-jax elite in cf.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 6, 2016

Last season was the latest in Jackson’s apparent decline with the bat. Starting the year with Seattle Mariners, Jackson hit.272 with eight HR and 38 RBI in 107 games with the team. A late August trade sent Jackson to the Cubs — where he mostly played right field — and hit a meager.236 with one HR and 10 RBI in 29 games.

At one time, the 29-year-old was considered a budding superstar in the outfield, getting a chance to be an everyday player with the Detroit Tigers after being traded from the New York Yankees prior to 2010. After finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2010, Jackson went on to post his two best seasons in 2011-12.

Leading the league in triples both seasons, Jackson hit a combined.274 while adding 26 HR and 111 RBI. However, Jackson’s issues with strikeouts plagued him, even during his best seasons, and the Tigers decided to move from him in 2014.

Calling Jackson an “elite” defender in center field may be a stretch at this point. According to FanGraphs, Jackson’s defense in center field has yielded mixed results the last two seasons.

In 2014, splitting time between the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners, Jackson accumulated a -10.0 ultimate zone rating (UZR) with zero defensive runs saved (DRS). Last season, spending time with the Mariners and Chicago Cubs, Jackson posted a +10.1 UZR with -1 DRS.

While those numbers are not bad, they pale in comparison to Jackson’s defensive prowess during his first two seasons. In 2010, Jackson posted +5.8 UZR and +13 DRS and followed it up with a +7.9 UZR and a career-best +29 DRS in 2011.

The White Sox’s incumbent in center field is Adam Eaton, who figured to be the team’s starter at the position. However, with Jackson on board, it’s possible that Eaton gets more playing time in the corner outfield spots. Defensive analytics peg Jackson as a better defender than Eaton in center field.

Youngster Avisail Garcia also figures to see decreased playing time in 2016. A poor defender in right field, the 24-year-old hit just.257 last season and with Jackson on the team, he is likely the White Sox’s fourth outfielder to start the year.

The White Sox have done a lot of late shopping to strengthen their roster. In addition to Jackson, the team has also signed veterans Jimmy Rollins, Mat Latos, and Matt Alberts in recent weeks. The White Sox have also acquired Todd Frazier, Brett Lawrie, Alex Avila, and others as they attempt to compete in the American League Central this year.

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, the White Sox have designated Mike Olt for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for Jackson. It’s an ironic transaction as the former top prospect Olt, who spent last season with the Cubs, was designated for assignment last year after the Cubs acquired Jackson.

[Featured Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images]