According with wiki "In the terminology of professional sports in North America, teams are often said to be based not in a city but in a media market. The size of the media market is usually a good indication of the potential viability of a major league team"
The Washington Nationals' global media market is not as big as big media market teams like Boston or NY. Not even close.
Nobody is disputing the ability to spend. Marlins have spent tons of money this year and I bet that they do not receive the same compensation/revenue/gross margin/exposure/popularity than big market teams receive like Boston/NY via Broadcast/merchandise/tickets/advertising, etc. in both domestic and foreign.
Lannan is cost controlled till 2014, isn't he? I really doubt that Nats trade him for bulks like Lars Anderson. If they trade him, they will ask top prospects. He has not even reached his prime, has he?
Dammit!
pffff... well, As I said, I'm not surprised that a small market team like the Nats sign Jackson. I want to see the terms. Nats are building an interesting rotation.