CHICAGO -- What to make of a starting pitcher with an ERA over 5.00 in the midst of an underachieving season?

The news that the White Sox officially have obtained right-handed starter Edwin Jackson from the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-hander Daniel Hudson and minor-league pitcher David Holmberg just might indicate the start of a most interesting day.

General manager Ken Williams always is determined to get his guy, and the Washington Nationals’ Adam Dunn was a coveted addition. Williams still has until late Saturday afternoon to flip Jackson to the Nationals for Dunn, although reports indicate that last-place Washington doesn’t want anything to do with Jackson.

If Jackson stays with the White Sox, what is right about this deal?

In Jackson, the White Sox are getting a veteran, who has shown he can pitch well at times, and he could shore up a rotation that lost Jake Peavy.

It assures the team will still have at least four proven guys if something should happen to a current starter. (Freddy Garcia has already pitched more innings than he did in any of the past three seasons.)

Jackson can still be dominating at times as his June 25 no-hitter would attest.

Jackson’s 6-10 record is a little ugly, but he went 3-0 in three starts against American League teams, beating the Blue Jays, Tigers and Rays.

Jackson is signed through 2012, giving the White Sox rotation insurance in case Peavy isn’t ready to start next season on time.

Jackson is 5-1 in his career against the Indians with a 2.56 ERA in 10 appearances (nine starts). The White Sox play the Indians six more times, including the final three games of the season at home.

If Jackson stays, what is wrong about this deal?

Since the no-hitter, Jackson’s ERA has risen a half a point to its current 5.16 mark, raising the likelihood that the 149-pitch outing on June 25 continues to set him back. He has yet to allow less than four runs in his five starts since the no-no.

If Jackson struggled against National League offenses, how will he do better against much better American League lineups on a regular basis?

Jackson is 1-3 in his career against the Twins with a 7.76 ERA in eight appearances (five starts). The White Sox and Twins play each other nine more times.

A no-hitter is huge for any pitcher, but the outing also featured eight walks and all those pitches, sending mixed signals.

Jackson has 60 walks and 104 strikeouts in 21 outings after posting a better than two-to-one ratio in that department last season with the Tigers (70-161).

Jackson leads the NL in two less-than-flattering categories: earned runs allowed (77) and wild pitches (13).