*Photo from the New York Times*
Seeking rotation help, the Windy City turned to a former rival. The Chicago Cubs and RHP Jameson Taillon have agreed to a 4 year, $68 million deal, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The Cubs have confirmed the news.
Taillon helps to fortify a Cubs rotation that has questions in it, and he provides durability as well, exceeding the 30 start threshold in 2022 and finished one start under 30 in 2021. Taillon reportedly had a robust market that included the New York Mets and the Texas Rangers, but he's ultimately on the move to the Midwest.
Last season was Taillon's second year with the New York Yankees after he joined them prior to the 2021 campaign. He ended the season with a 3.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 3.94 FIP, tossing 177 1/3 innings in 32 starts. He made two appearances in the postseason, posting a 6.23 ERA in 4 1/3 innings.
Debuting in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Taillon spent 3 full seasons there, undergoing Tommy John Surgery 7 starts into his 4th season, ending his 2019 season and keeping him out for 2020 as well. He was then traded to the Yankees prior to 2021, and now ends up with a Pittsburgh division rival.
Taillon has 6 seasons of big league time under his belt, split between the Pirates and Yankees. In that time, he has a 51-35 record to go with a 3.84 ERA, 3.80 FIP, and 1.21 WHIP, throwing 787 2/3 innings over 143 starts, adding 3 complete games, one of which was a shutout. His 6.23 ERA in 4 1/3 innings stands as his only postseason pitching line.
Pittsburgh selected Taillon with the second overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, picked right after Bryce Harper and right before Manny Machado. He was a highly ranked prospect with overpowering stuff leading up to his injury that required Tommy John surgery.
Currently, Taillon figures to slot in behind Marcus Stroman and Kyle Hendricks in the Cubs rotation. Players such as Adbert Alzolay, Justin Steele, Keegan Thompson, Adrian Sampson, Javier Assad, and Hayden Wesneski also present as options for the rotation entering spring training.
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