Yankees and Red Sox Inquire About Cubs’ Jameson Taillon
Both the Yankees and Red Sox have contacted the Cubs to discuss the potential availability of right-hander Jameson Taillon, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale in his Sunday Notes column. The Cubs haven’t decided whether to trade any veterans before the deadline, but with consecutive losses following the All-Star break and sitting 10 games behind in the NL Central and 4.5 back in the Wild Card, it wouldn’t be surprising if they explored their trade options.
Taillon, 32, is in the second year of a four-year, $68 million contract signed during the 2022-23 offseason. Despite a rough stretch last May and June, he has rebounded with a 3.10 ERA (3.81 FIP, 4.18 SIERA) in 93 innings this season. His turnaround began in the second half of 2023, and over the past year, he has maintained a 3.34 ERA (4.05 FIP, 4.11 SIERA) with a 21.1% strikeout rate and an impressive 5.1% walk rate, the 11th-lowest among qualified starters.
Taillon is still owed about $6.8 million for the remainder of 2024 and $18 million annually for the next two seasons, totaling around $43 million. This is generally considered a reasonable rate for a pitcher of his caliber. However, the Yankees face a 110% tax on his salary as third-time CBT payors, while Boston could acquire him without crossing into luxury tax territory this season. The Cubs are just $3 million shy of the $237 million luxury threshold, so moving Taillon could provide some financial flexibility.
For the Red Sox, acquiring Taillon makes sense due to injuries to Lucas Giolito, Garrett Whitlock, and Chris Murphy. With a rotation currently featuring Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Nick Pivetta, and Brayan Bello, adding Taillon would provide stability and depth. He could also bolster the 2025-26 rotations, especially with Pivetta set to become a free agent after this season. The Red Sox are currently holding the third Wild Card spot in the American League, trailing the division-leading Orioles by 6.5 games and the second-place Yankees by 4.5 games.
The Yankees are familiar with Taillon, who pitched for them in 2021-22, posting a 4.08 ERA over 321 1/3 innings. Despite a mostly healthy rotation now, the Yankees lost Clarke Schmidt to a lat strain, sidelining him until at least the end of the month. Their rotation includes Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes, Marcus Stroman, and Luis Gil, but recent struggles have likely prompted the Yankees to seek additional help.
Taillon’s consistent performance and reasonable contract make him an attractive target for both the Yankees and Red Sox as they look to strengthen their rotations for the playoff push.