Nationals among teams to inquire about Diamondbacks' Jackson

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

Several teams have inquired about the availability of Arizona starting pitcher Edwin Jackson.

Andy Hayt/Getty Images

The Nationals are among several teams that have expressed interested in Diamondbacks starter Edwin Jackson, league sources say.

Some teams that are interested in Nationals slugger Adam Dunn have also spoken to the Diamondbacks about the availability of Jackson, hoping to use the pitcher as leverage to land Dunn.

In 20 starts this season, Jackson has gone 6-9 with a 5.01 ERA and 101 strikeouts. But the righthander has shown flashes of brilliance over his career, including a no-hitter he pitched against Tampa Bay on June 25.

The Diamondbacks, as of now, expect to trade at least one of their top starting pitchers, either Jackson or star Dan Haren (7-8. 4.60 ERA). The Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals, Tigers and Twins are among teams that have thus fas shown interest in Haren.

The Yankees have reportedly balked at including pitcher Joba Chamberlain in the proposed deal for Haren, but talks are continuing with the Diamondbacks.

The likelihood of a deal took a hit when Arizona asked the Yankees to include Chamberlain and pay the full $33 million remaining on Haren's deal.

At times in the talks, the Diamondbacks have tried to attach reliever Chad Qualls (1-4, 12 saves, 7.86 ERA) or catcher Chris Snyder (.233, 10 HRs, 32 RBIs in the deal with New York looking to pare its payroll.

But while the Yankees are in need of bullpel help, they view Qualls negatively based on his poor season.

The Yankees have offered pitcher Ivan Nova, pitching prospect Zach McAllister and other prospects for Haren.