Risky Business: Acquiring Jackson says more about Webb than Scherzer

With limited trade pieces, the Arizona Diamondbacks seemed to have limited options this winter.

Winning at all costs, however, may have cost Arizona two of its final three best prospects, with Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth heading out and Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy heading in.

In fairness to Josh Byrnes and staff, I too share the belief that Max Scherzer's secondary stuff has not developed to the point of becoming a viable #2 starter (That is an implicit concession of this trade, and I will not be shocked to hear Byrnes say as much). Then again, much has been staked on the return of Brandon Webb to that #2 slot.

Does this trade mean Webb will not be ready to return to that role?

How are we not to infer as much, with the D-backs giving up so much for a #3 starter and a shaky prospect?

The prospect of another losing season seems to have shaken management to the point of parting with a future closer for a current insurance policy.

So, to answer the first part (as best I can): Webb's return is tenuous enough to warrant the acquisition of someone like Jackson, and with no one else available (or affordable) on the market (Ex: Randy Wolf will soon be off it) Byrnes felt like this was the only way for Arizona to protect themselves from another rough start to a season.

In other words, World Series' may not be won in April, but they most certainly can be lost. Arizona certainly did not want to take that chance again.