MLB Rumors: Edwin Jackson wearing out welcome in Chicago

When the Chicago Cubs signed right-handed starter Edwin Jackson to a 4-year, $52 million contract last January, they were expecting more than the the 8–18 record and 4.98 ERA they got in 2013. They also expected the ride to be a little smoother than it has been with Jackson.

Last September, Jackson got into a heated argument with then-manager Dale Sveum after being pulled for a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning of a game. Apparently Jackson felt he still had plenty of gas in the tank, while Sveum felt the need to score some runs.

Now, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that there is already some ill-will developing between Jackson and current cubs skipper, Rick Renteria.

Wittenmyer reproted that Renteria plans to have a little chat with Jackson after the right-handed chose to throw nothing but fastballs in his last spring start, doing so without consulting either his Renteria or pitching coach, Chris Bosio.

Things can never just be simple for the Cubs, can they?

Jackson is the highest paid player on the Cubs’ roster, and certainly not the pitcher they hoped they were getting. Starting things off on the wrong foot with a new manager in Spring Training can’t be a good sign.

It would seem that Wittenmyer shares that sentiment.

"Jackson doesn’t exactly get the benefit of the doubt with management after recording a league-leading 18 losses, 4.94 ERA and his lowest innings total in six seasons. – Gordon Wittenmyer"

If the conversation doesn’t go as planned, who knows how long Jackson’s stay in Chicago will last.