According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs rejected a trade offer that would have sent right-hander Edwin Jackson to the Braves for outfielder B.J. Upton. They were teammates while with the Rays a few years ago. The two sides discussed the deal before the trade deadline in July.

A Jackson-for-Upton swap would be the epitome of a bad contract-for-bad contract deal. Jackson is owed approximately $24 million through the 2016 season while Upton has roughly $49 million left on his deal, which runs through 2017. Nightengale says Atlanta would have had to kick in quite a bit of money to facilitate a trade.

Jackson, 30, is 6-14 with a 6.09 ERA in 26 starts and 139 innings for the Cubs this year. He is 14-32 with a 5.47 ERA since signing a four-year, $52 million contract prior to last season. Jackson was just placed on the disabled list with a lat strain and there's been talk of moving him to the bullpen.

The 30-year-old Upton is hitting .208/.282/.329 (71 OPS+) with nine home runs and 18 stolen bases this year, which is better than the .184/.268/.289 (54 OPS+) line he put up last season. The Braves gave Upton a five-year, $72.25 million contract prior to 2013.

It's no surprise these two clubs are looking to move their bad contracts, but Jackson-for-Upton wouldn't make much sense for the Cubs, who have a ton of position player prospects on the way. They don't need someone like Upton clogging up payroll and a lineup spot.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Im glad they didnt do that.

Upton is worse, paid more, and signed for longer

Jimmy, I am not sure what your angle is here? did you want them to do that? Nothing there with Upton...

I am 100% in disagreement with the original E Jax deal, but at this point (Next year) you let him be a starter, IF he can have a good streak, which usually his entire career has shown he can, with 1 year left on a deal, he would be tradebale. he is a good dude, not unreal money.

If they actually do get Lester, 1 man is out of this rotation.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Yeah, unless it was for Justin, not BJ, I wouldn't touch that one.

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Not many people I wouldn't trade E. Jackson for BUT BJ Upton is one.

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Kenny Williams fell for the banana in the tailpipe

Im glad they passed on that. Jackson sucks. ......just let him play out (or not) the deal.

Yeah, I don't see any other logical viewpoint on the matter.

It's possible jimmy was just posting a story ... though it is understandable to presume he's on the wrong side of the debate since it's a Cubs story.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Jimmy is an encyclopedia of bad baseball thoughts.

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I think Jackson is STILL a moveable player. The contract is difficult, but eat money and someone will want that guy every year.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

He very well could be a middle relief guy next year, end up with some good numbers. cubs eat some of it, and he becomes very movable.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

So it's ok to celebrate 5 years of suckage because it MIGHT lead to something?

yeah,I'm nuts and "fans" like you are fine.

I was just posting the story,I would make ejax a middle reliever since he can't handle more than 3-4 innings without getting burned.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Actually it seems like the 1st inning or two are the worst for him.

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Don't strawman me, bro.

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Have Ejax throw a simulated first inning while a reliever throws the real one, then put him in.

Fuck it, go all Chuck Tanner and have a 9 man staff. Each guy throws 1 inning per game or 162 for the year. ( maybe have a 10th pitcher for extra innings). Think outside the batters box dammit.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

I think another team should try the relief Ace system the Red Sox tried in 03


It probably wont work, but I wanna see it.

Just move him into Carlos Villanueva's role next season. When a pitcher can only go 2 or 3 innings, put him in there as the sacrificial lamb. His ERA might be 12, but no one gives a shit because we were probably going to lose those games anyways. Plus, we don't need to feel bad for him getting shelled because he is being paid $11M a year.

Doubling the amount owed on a bad deal doesn't interest me.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Good.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014