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I guess I'm missing where anyone is saying that Jackson is an ace. His upside is there but he's still young and not finished. Maybe he's AJ Burnett instead of Nolan Ryan. I'll take it. If he's on the M's staff, he is immediately the second best starter on the team and, as Doc points out, the money can then be reallocated where it is really needed - to the offense.
If you want to get a solid #2 to back Felix AND upgrade the offense, this is how it's going to have to happen. You either have to find a young bat or a young starter to trade for. Young players have risk and upside - it's going to be as true for a 25 year old bat as it is for a 25 year old starter. At least one that the team can afford in a trade.