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Oakland Athletics: Four Reasons They Should Release Billy Butler

By Andrew Dambrauskas

May 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Billy Butler (16) reacts after striking out during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Billy Butler (16) reacts after striking out during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 29, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Edwin Jackson (36) against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Edwin Jackson (36) against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Edwin Jackson

The winter of 2013 was Theo Epstein’s first full offseason as the Chicago Cubs general manager. He was fresh off of a low-expectations 2012 season where the Cubs finished last in the National League Central, and Cubs fans were eager to see how their new general manager would turn their franchise around (just as he had done in Boston).

That is why they were shocked to hear that the Cubs signed right-handed starting pitcher Edwin Jackson to a four-year $52 million contract. At this point in his career, Jackson had been in the league for ten seasons and had played for seven different teams. He was no doubt a veteran presence, but he was 70-71 for his career with a 4.40 ERA at that point. The expensive long-term contract was certainly a head scratcher. 

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Jackson pitched for two years as a starter, and was relegated to long relief duty in 2015 after the Cubs settled on five other pitchers they’d rather have starting. In his two and a half seasons in Chicago, he pitched 5.37 ERA baseball through 347 innings.

Spring Training of 2015 should have served as an omen for Jackson’s future in Chicago. On a day he was scheduled to start against the Athletics, his GPS navigated him to the A’s old spring training venue. Consequently, he was late and could not enter the game until the second inning. He gave up eight runs in 1.2 innings.

The Cubs parted ways with Jackson in July, understanding that they still owed him the remainder of his $11 million salary for 2015 in addition to another $11 million for 2016.

It is true that the Cubs ate a hefty chunk of Jackson’s salary, but it allowed them to optimize the talent in their pitching staff. Their starting pitching staff was ranked third in all of baseball in 2015 with a 3.36 ERA, so the lost $11-plus million probably doesn’t keep the front office up at night.

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