When the Cubs signed righty Jameson Taillon to a four-year, $68MM deal in December 2022, that contract included a 10-team no-trade clause. According to Taillon last night (link via Patrick Mooney of The Athletic), “I haven’t had to say yes or no to anything.”
Taillon, who professed his love for Chicago, coughed up six runs in four and a third innings to the Reds in Cincinnati last night. He’ll turn 33 in November. Taillon’s average fastball velocity is down a full tick this year, with his strikeout rate falling to 19.1%. Though his ERA was 4.84 last year and currently sits at 3.35, there hasn’t been a skill change in these 18 starts.
Given that Taillon is owed $18MM in each of the 2025 and ’26 seasons, it’s possible the Cubs could look to get out of that commitment. In the best case scenario, they could also extract some useful players from a market that saw the Astros provide a strong return for lefty Yusei Kikuchi. Though the Cubs’ acquisition of Isaac Paredes from the Rays signaled an intention to retool and compete next year, trading Taillon before today’s 5pm central deadline could still make sense.
As Mooney notes, the Astros were one of the teams that had been connected to Taillon. The Padres, Orioles, Yankees, and Red Sox have also been linked, though Baltimore picked up Zach Eflin. We’ve also seen the Brewers, Cardinals, Royals, and Red Sox add starting pitching this month. If he is to trade Taillon today, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has to contend with several better options being available on the market like Jack Flaherty, Garrett Crochet, and Blake Snell, plus similar ones in Nestor Cortes and Tyler Anderson.
That’s ok. They haven’t approached me yet either….
Hmm, well keep us posted on your front.
You got it. It is the Cubs though, not sure I’d sign anything…
If you are playing and building for 2025, trading Tailon makes little sense. Trade Neris, Smyly and anyone else you don’t see in the plans for next year. Tailon is a solid arm.
The argument for trading his is that you’re selling high. FB velocity is down, should only decrease more as he gets older.
They could get a contender to overpay for Tallion as he has a few years left on his deal.
The Cubs FO could believe he’s in for a big regression next year.
Cubs also have plenty of young options for the backend of the rotation that can replace him cheaply allowing money to be spent on an impact bat.
I’m in agreement with moving Tallion. If the return is deemed positive by the Cubs FO.
Use that prospect return, along with others currently in the Cubs pipeline to make a run for Crochett or Skubal in the off season. That is if they are available. The may be a big if as they could be moved today. The Cubs can also use the dollars saved on Tallion to make a run at Barnes who’s a free agent. Yeh… I know dream on.
Is he even worth trading? Which team would actually trade for him?
Yeah he’s still a solid #3 with good command, his cutter just isn’t cutting like it has the last 2 years. It’s still not a bad pitch, but it doesn’t have the elite movement it had in 22 and 23.
The article lists the trans that have expressed interest … Nearly every contending team.
Sounds like a “Boras style” comment …. everyone is interested, in theory, but no one can rightfully admit to it. Do not buy it. His contract is too big and for too many years.
Any team that needs starting pitching for this run and/or to add at least one starter this offseason – it won’t be a deep class for starting pitching.
If Taillon were a free agent this offseason, many teams would be lining up and happy to sign him for a 1-2 year deal, and it would probably take around $18M/year to get him, give or take.
The Cubs don’t have to sell on him, but if they can get good value back, maybe they do.
I believe he is very tradeable & several teams will be going after him today whether Jed gets a return he is good with will be the question.
Yes he certainly still has value, especially with the extra year of control. If traded, Hoyer could use that $18M/yr, towards a solid TOR guy.
At the very least, Taillon is still healthy, under team control and a decent MOR option.
Two years of control in addition to the rest of this season.
Yes, thanks.
Yankees, Orioles, Padres, Red Sox, Dodgers, Mets, Astros, & Braves would all take him for the right price.
Technically, the A’s, White Sox and Rockies would also take him for the “right price”.
Yea if Jed gave him away,not happening.
“Employer has not approached employee about moving/firing him”
Duh
Duh?
That is in reference to his no-trade list.
Players submit the teams on their “no trade” list to teams before the season, depending on the wording of their contract. The Cubs really only have to engage Taillon if a team is interested in trading for him if it’s on his list.
I remember Dempster using his veto power to block a trade to the Braves, the Cubs turned around and traded him to the Rangers for Villanueva and a Dartmouth pitcher drafted in the 8th round.
He’s pretty good I think I would keep him.
I’m not for gutting the team but I think the Cubs should shop some veterans, open some positions for younger players, free up some payroll and shake up the offense
I am all for bringing up some young players. Just release Mastrobouni, I’ve never understood their fascination with him. Madrigal seems redundant at this point. If Tailon can bring back a near major league ready catcher it might be worth a trade. They have tons of arms in the high minors/ 40 man unfortunately they are all on the IL. Cubs need to hit a straight flush to make the playoffs. Try to put a competitive roster on the field and maybe get lucky. Bellinger is back and the Paredes trade this is the best lineup they have had all year.
Mastrobuoni and Madrigal are redundant. They are pretty much the same type of hitters, play the same positions. Both are valuable bench pieces but you don’t need both on the roster, pick one and move on.
I love a good story filled with magic and wonder about a last place team that’s 11 games out with 54 to play, that is going to the playoffs with their new awesome offense and a lineup of stars that all the other good teams want in trades..