Coming into this year, there was a lot of talk that Jackson was inevitably going to have to be moved down in the lineup; that he just didn't have the skills to lead off. He was an everyday player for his defense, and he was quite good at that, but his offense was going to have to be hidden a bit. He has responded by doing every single thing at the plate better than he ever has before. Highest BB rate he's had at any level. Highest ISO he's had since high-A ball. Lowest K rate he's had since high-A ball. Swinging at markedly fewer balls. Current slash of .318/.403/.504. wOBA of .405. While still playing an excellent centerfield. With very little in his stats shouting "lucky!". BABIP is a touch higher than he can sustain, but only just. Definite luck HR/FB wise, but a couple fewer HR wouldn't change the narrative of what he's doing.

In short, Austin Jackson is six weeks into an MVP-candidate type season (assuming Josh Hamilton misses his customary two months). Nothing guarantees that he keeps it up, but nothing screams that he won't. He may well be turning into a legit star in front of our eyes right now. When the trade happened, I never once thought that Jackson was going to be an improvement for Granderson, and the other players would just be fun little throw-ins. I'll be very happy to be wrong.

I, for one, am intrigued by the best lineup.

Baseball Musings lineup sim

Also, it's kinda fun to plug in the bench guys and watch the substitutions absolutely destroy the runs per game.

The highest scoring lineup there that I think there would be any chance of seeing in real life would be the Jackson/Boesch/Damon/Miguel/Magglio one.  Not that .03 runs really matters.  I just think it's fun to play with. 

The Astros are terrible.

He makes $15 mill this year, $16 mill in 2011, and has a $16 mill club option in 2012.  He also has a full no-trade, but he's gotta miss winning games.  He's 32 years old.  He pitches in the NL.

You want him?  What are you willing to give up?

I'd love to have him, but I don't know how much I'd be willing to give up.  On the other hand, Astros management sucks, and they need essentially everything.  Maybe like Raburn/Galarraga/Ramirez AAAA-level guys in addition to taking the contract.  Maybe even a decent ceiling Strieby type or two.  Their farm system is bad enough that I think they may rather have four or five AAAA types than a real prospect or two.

I think the Twins are better than the Tigers at this point, but this move could reverse that.  I also have utter conviction that the White Sox (if they don't go into !!!sell everything!!! mode) are going to end up with Adrian Gonzalez.  I don't like the thought of his bat at the Cell.

You wanty?