Nationals agree to terms with right-hander Jackson, continue to shop Lannan

Today just keeps getting busier for the Nationals. Only hours after winning an arbitration case with starting pitcher John Lannan, and while in the midst of shopping around said pitcher, the Nationals announced they have come to terms with key free agent starter Edwin Jackson, pending a physical. According to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman it is reportedly worth $8-$12 million. This will be Jackson's seventh team in his career. The 28-year-old spent three seasons each with the Dodgers and Rays, respectively, before spending all of the 2009 season with the Detroit Tigers. It was there Jackson had his best season, going 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA and earning his lone all-star appearance. Jackson then split time between the Diamondbacks and White Sox, before being traded to the eventual World Series champion Cardinals midway through last season. In nine seasons, Jackson's record stands at an even 60-60. He boasts a 4.46 ERA, but amassed a 12-9 mark last season with the White Sox and Cardinals. With Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Chien-Ming Wang and Jackson likely as the starting five, the Nationals now boast one of the youngest and formidable rotations in the National League. Gonzalez (26), Strasburg (22), Jackson (28) and Zimmermann (25) are all under the age of 30, while Wang is just on the other side at 31 years old. Jackson's acquisition also solidifies the five-man rotation for the Nationals, though Ross Detwiler could still compete for one of those spots. What this means for Lannan, however, is his days as a National are likely numbered. Just after beating out Lannan in their arbitration meeting, the Nationals were thought to be "aggressively shopping" the left-hander in order to slice off the $5 million he'll make in 2012 as a result of the arbitration hearing. It was believed, however, that in order for Jackson to be acquired, the Nationals would have to part ways with the 27-year-old. Now that Jackson has signed to pitch in our nation's capital, it should be only a matter of time before Lannan is on his way out.