Breaking News: The Twins bolster their lineup with the addition of a new reliever.
The Minnesota Twins have reached an agreement with Jay Jackson, a former relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants and the Toronto Blue Jays, as reported by Robert Murray.
The Minnesota Twins have reportedly secured a major league deal with Jay Jackson, the former relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants and the Toronto Blue Jays. This information comes from a report by Robert Murray, an MLB insider at FanSided. Although the specific terms of the contract were not disclosed, it is likely a one-year agreement. Notably, given Jackson’s lack of minor-league options, he is set to receive a complete MLB salary pending the successful completion of his physical examination and the finalization of the deal.
Throughout the 2023 season, Jay Jackson was part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization, making appearances in 25 major league games and achieving a 2.12 ERA (4.20 FIP) with 27 strikeouts and nine walks in 29.2 innings. Despite a 6.27 ERA at Triple-A, he showcased impressive strikeout (43) and walk (7) numbers.
Jackson’s professional baseball career has been characterized by its extensive travels since he was drafted in the eighth round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. Over the years, he has played for eight different MLB organizations, featuring in the majors with five teams and having multiple stints in both Mexico and Japan.
His initial MLB stint was with the Padres in 2015, followed by a period in Japan from 2016-2018 where he excelled as a reliever with the Hiroshima Carp. Upon returning to the U.S. in 2019, Jackson posted a 4.45 ERA (4.66 FIP) in 28 appearances with the Brewers.
Facing challenges in 2020, Jackson signed a minor-league deal with the Giants before the 2021 season. Although he missed the early part of the season due to injury, he dominated Triple-A upon his return, allowing only two runs in 14 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts.
Recognizing his strong performance, the Giants promoted Jackson to their MLB bullpen, where he became a fan favorite for his intense mentality on the mound. Serving as an effective middle reliever, he posted a 3.74 ERA in 21.2 innings with 28 strikeouts and 12 walks.
After the season, the Giants traded Jackson to Atlanta, but a lat strain delayed his season start. Upon his return, he excelled at Triple-A with a 1.83 ERA in 19.2 innings, but his time in the majors with Atlanta was brief, pitching 1.1 innings without allowing a run.
Becoming a free agent, Jackson secured a minor-league deal with Toronto, highlighting the nomadic nature of his career. Despite the constant movement, he has been consistently effective, boasting a career MLB ERA of 3.50 (4.17 FIP) in 84 appearances. With over 11 seasons of experience at Triple-A, Jackson aims for stability with the Minnesota Twins.
