Another void was created in the New York Yankees’ starting pitching rotation Wednesday.
Jameson Taillon is on his way out of the Bronx to sign a four-year, $68 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, as first reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and Jeff Passan. The Yankees acquired Taillon from the Pirates ahead of the 2021 Major League Baseball trade deadline in exchange for four prospects.
The second overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, Taillon pitched the first four seasons of his big league career in Pittsburgh, logging a combined .367 ERA across 466 total innings. The right-hander struggled in his first half-season with New York but rebounded with a solid 2022 campaign. Taillon’s 14 wins led the Yankees and he kept his season ERA under 4 for the first time since the 2018 season.
Taillon’s exit offered another reminder that New York has a strong need for pitching. The Yankees on Tuesday reportedly bolstered their bullpen by adding Tommy Kahnle, but the rotation still needs to be addressed. Brian Cashman and company are reportedly “focused” on left-hander Carlos Rodón, who might be drawing interest from at least five other clubs.
Other orders of business for the Yankees include trying to re-sign Aaron Judge, who for a moment Tuesday appeared to be on his way to San Francisco.
