Both the Yankees and Red Sox have checked in with the Cubs and discussed the potential availability of right-hander Jameson Taillon, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes in his weekly Sunday Notes column. The Cubs have yet to determine whether they’ll off any veteran pieces prior to the deadline, per the report. However, Chicago has dropped consecutive games coming out of the All-Star break and now sits 10 back in the NL Central and 4.5 back in the Wild Card chase, so it’d hardly register as a surprise if they were at least getting a feel for the market on some of their potential trade assets.
The 32-year-old Taillon (33 in November) is in the second season of a four-year, $68MM contract he inked with the Cubs in the 2022-23 offseason. After a very rocky showing last May and June, he’s righted the ship. Taillon is sitting on a pristine 3.10 ERA (3.81 FIP, 4.18 SIERA) in 93 innings this season, but his turnaround really dates back to the second half of the ’23 season. Though he finished out his first Cubs season with an ERA just shy of 5.00, that brutal stretch in May/June heavily weighed down his season-long line.
Over the past calendar year, Taillon boasts a tidy 3.34 ERA (4.05 FIP, 4.11 SIERA) with a 21.1% strikeout rate that’s only about a percentage point shy of league-average and an outstanding 5.1% walk rate. That walk rate is the 11th-lowest among qualified starters in the majors.
Taillon is still owed about $6.8MM of his 2024 salary as of this writing. He’s also being paid $18MM in each of the next two seasons. That’ll bring the tab on him to a bit less than $43MM over the next two-plus seasons. On its face, that’s a generally reasonable rate for a pitcher of Taillon’s caliber.
However, it’s also worth noting that the Yankees are a third-time CBT payor who are in the top tier of luxury penalization. They’d pay a 110% tax on Taillon, at least this season and possibly in future seasons, depending where their luxury ledger lands in 2025-26. Boston currently has a projected $218MM worth of luxury considerations, per RosterResource, so they could acquire Taillon and take on his full contract without crossing into luxury territory this season. As for the Cubs, they’re just $3MM shy of the $237MM luxury threshold; moving Taillon would create some breathing room in the event that the front office opts to deal from its rotation depth but simultaneously bring in some other players to address needs (e.g. third base, bullpen).
As far as the Red Sox go, the reported interest in Taillon is pretty straightforward. Boston has seen Lucas Giolito, Garrett Whitlock and depth starter Chris Murphy go down with season-ending injuries. Righty Bryan Mata recently had another setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury. At the moment, the Sox have a rotation comprised of Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Nick Pivetta and Brayan Bello. Both Cooper Criswell and Josh Winckowski have gotten looks in the fifth spot of the rotation. The depth beyond that quintet is fairly suspect.
The current top four in Boston’s rotation is solid, but both Houck and Crawford are going to sail well beyond their 2023 workloads as they set new career-high marks for innings pitched. Even if they avoid injury while doing so, there’s real possibility of fatigue setting in and impacting the quality of their results (which have thus far been excellent). Taillon would add some stability and push Criswell and Wincowski down the depth chart. He’d also add a solid veteran arm to the 2025-26 rotations, which surely has some appeal with Pivetta slated to become a free agent this offseason.
The Red Sox currently hold the third Wild Card spot in the American League. They’re a long shot within the AL East but certainly not buried, sitting 6.5 games behind the division-leading Orioles and 4.5 games behind the second-place Yankees.
Speaking of the Yankees, they’re of course no stranger to Taillon. The righty pitched the 2021-22 seasons in the Bronx and fared well, logging 321 1/3 innings of 4.08 ERA ball over the life of 61 starts. The Yankees have a mostly healthy rotation now that Gerrit Cole is back from the elbow injury that sidelined him into June, but they did lose breakout righty Clarke Schmidt to a late-May lat strain that’s going to sideline him for a considerable period. The Yankees announced on May 30 that Schmidt would be shut down up to six weeks. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 18. He’s out until at least the end of this month, but that’ll likely stretch into next month. Schmidt only began throwing off a mound this weekend, and he’ll need to make multiple minor league rehab starts (and dodge any possible setbacks) before he’s an option.
Right now, manager Aaron Boone’s rotation includes Cole, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes, Marcus Stroman and Luis Gil. It’s a talented quintet, but Gil has faded considerably after posting a sub-2.00 ERA for the first couple months of the season. His sky-high walk rate always made his ERA a little dubious, but over the past seven starts Gil has pitched to a 6.00 ERA. He’s not the only Yankee starter struggling, either. Each of Rodon, Cortes and Stroman has an ERA north of 5.30 in the past month. Rodon has been clobbered for 24 runs in his past 22 innings. If anything, Gil has begun to right the ship with a pair of excellent starts his last two times out, but it’s plenty understandable if his workload concerns and the generally shaky performance from the rest of his rotationmates has the Yankees seeking external help.
Wow, he’s really flown under the radar this year. Has a nice stat line. Nice rebound
Pirates could’ve afforded him if they cared to spend. Imagine how much better this team would be paying $17M AAV to Taillon instead of $8M to Martin Perez.
Dude, the pirates aren’t hurting with their starting pitching staff with any stretch of the imagination. Why even bring this up?
Taillon is a longtime personal favorite, and he didn’t even sign something that was really outside what the bucs could’ve paid.
Once jones comes back it won’t matter
I would have loved to keep Jameson but didn’t make a lot sense at the time.
Doesn’t make a lot of sense now either.
Skenes, Jones, Keller with Falter, Gonzalez, Ortiz doing well and Ashcraft has a good shot at making an impact later this year. Pirates are in a good spot with depth and some top end talent. Perez has been a ‘stinker’ this year. if it were me i’d give him one more start before pulling him from the rotation only working blow outs while looking for a 40man/cash dump swap at the deadline.
now if the Cubs are looking to sell AND looking at 2026/27 to push the Pirates getting Happ could be huge. Even Bellinger but his options are a cause for concern. Taken on the rest of Perez’s and/or Chapman’s contract would make it a bit easier to swallow. None of that will happen though.
You can never have enough pitching
He has had a decent year. And he will NOT be going to the Yankees or Red sox. how do we know that for sure? Nightengale said that they were trying to trade for him and everything he claims happened and everything he claims is happening regarding trade and signing rumors turns out to be false.
Boston would be soooo much better if they had just kept Sale and not taken a chance on Giolito.
Taillon is solid but a little expensive his 4 year contract was backloaded a bit. With the Cubs pitching depth perhaps they just want out of the contract.
I’d had enough of waiting for Sale. I was fine with trading him.
You were fine with trading him. How you feel now about it?
How you feel now about it?
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It’s just more confirmation that you can’t predict the future.
Anyone that watched Sale’s Red Sox career knows that he wouldn’t have pitched as well in Boston as he has in Atlanta. I’m happy for him but don’t miss him at all.
I agree. Sale’s resurrection is due in part to the change of scenery. I just think his time in Boston ran it’s course. Good move on both teams’ part
I totally agree. It didn’t work out for the Sox, but it was time to turn the page. Wish Sale well though. He wanted to play and was as frustrated as can be by the injuries.
Problem is we don’t know that Sale would have been/stayed healthy or would have put up the same results as he has in Atlanta. Sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what a player needs and that may have been Sale as well
Yeah, it was time for Sale to go. He said great competitor, but I have had enough of Sale getting hurt in obscure ways. The return wasn’t great but it is what it is. I had similar feelings towards Eovaldi.
I actually thought Sale would stay healthy and compete for the NL Cy, just because he was traded.
Imagine how bad Sale’s extension would have looked if the Sox held on to Sale and he got hurt again, wasting another year. Then the entire extension would be a waste. At least they got something back.
I remember many Braves fans were made about the trade.
Sale wasn’t a given after his injury and Grissom was a nice return for him for the future. We weren’t expected to be good and in that context, it was a fine trade.
I miss Sale too but I think the trade was a good gamble
Why trade for ONeill then trade away Sale?
It was their way of trying to compete… still feels a lot like Chaim Bloom tbh
Because just about all the rest of the lineup was left handed hitting. They needed the balance O’Neill and Grissom were supposed to provide. The team’s struggles against left handed starters bears out that concern.
Really easy to say that the RS shouldn’t have traded Sale with the benefit of hindsight. It was the correct process by Breslow to start fresh with a new starting rotation. Maybe the RS today are in the position they are today bc it set a series of roster moves in motion to put them there. Not everything happens in a vacuum.
If you trade for ONeill why trade away Sale? It’s not hindsight I said it at the time.
They traded Sale away and hoped to replace his production with Giolito (I assume). You trade a guy who was oft injured for a guy who has started 29+ games in each full season going back to 2018 (32, 29, 12 in shortened season, 31,30,33).
I think this was their intention. Going into the off-season, I felt they needed 2 SP – so trading away Sale and adding Giolito still left them short. Props to Bailey and the rest of the staff (and players) for the work the pitching staff has put in.
The team still needed RH bats, regardless of the pitching situation. So trading away two minor league P (who were nothing special, just depth arms) to get a high risk, high reward bat was a good move regardless of the others.
We haven’t seen Grissom enough to evaluate quality.
Yankees, NO! I absolutely forbid this! Brian, don’t make me come back there! I’ll turn this car right around, mister. I’m counting to 3! I don’t care if the Red Sox in Boston do this – if the Red Sox in Boston go play in the street, it doesn’t mean you have to go play on the street! Brian, don’t make me repeat myself! I said NO!
What’s the deal with the promo videos almost every time I open this website?
you cant scroll or they bombard you, but selecting the articles you’re reading helps mitigate the issue. more video ads mean less interaction with the app.
A very inexpensive membership solves all that.
Cubs should hang on to him regroup for next year
They’re in a good position though. They don’t have to trade him, so they can sit back and see if they get an offer that blows them away.
One good thing about trading him is the reduction in payroll would give them more room to make signings or trades in the off season in preparation for next year.
Yoooo where’s the president hanging up the cleats article
I could see the Yankees reacquiring Jameson
I would feel better trading Taillon if Brown, Wick, recently Wesnewski and minor leaguer Cade Horton were not dealing with injuries. That should be a concern. Maybe the Cubs know a lot more regarding those injuries than fans do. Nothing wrong with listening to offers and possible returns. No doubt the Cubs want to lower payroll so we’ll see what happens.
As soon as the Cubs traded Tallion you’d see Straily called up in 5 seconds. Is that who you really want to see? They just released the best P they had all year at Iowa and he’s with the Yankees now. But we’ll get Straily another one of Hoyers pets he can’t get rid of.
If, and that’s a big if, the Cubs trade Taillon for a positive return and lower payroll heading into 2025 then who care’s if it’s Straily or an overweight, mid 40’s beer drinking Chicago style softball pitcher is in the rotation for the remainder of the 2024 season. The 2024 season is cooked. It should be all about tweaking and revitalizing this roster heading into 2025 and beyond. Now, the next question is do Cubs fans believe in Jed Hoyer to press the right buttons. Personally, I don’t.
Neither do I. Whatever or whoever you believe is making the decisions for the Cubs and opinions vary, I say it’s Hoyer doing everything. Other people say it’s a combination of Hawkins and Hoyer and I don’t believe any of that for a second. I asked the question in last nights chat and they said committee. However it’s being done it doesn’t work at all.
Here’s how I see the decision structure. Hawkins is to Hoyer as Hoyer was to Theo. Pretty much a middle man. No real decision making. Hoyer listens to Crane Kenney, the main financial guy. Kenney has closest ear to Mr. Ricketts. That’s my take.
If you’re right that would explain the total dysfunction of it. You need one voice at the top. One smart voice.
I’d rather the Yankees do nothing than trade for Taillon again. There’s no reason to give up prospects and take on the salary for a back end SP
The Yankees have bigger issues from the Front Office, GM, Mgr, Coaches, and Players just going through the motion.
Trading Tallion doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. ever since the beginning of last year and he stopped throwing that stupid sweeper the Cubs want everybody to throw and went back to his curve ball he’s been dominant. His contract isn’t a big deal for a quality SP so why move him? There are so many other guys who NEED moving. Let’s try that huh?
You move a guy like Taillon, because starting pitching is a premium, especially if they have are more than a rental. He’s a good #3 pitcher with playoff experience. His contract isn’t crazy for what mid-level starters are getting these days. If you don’t think this team can do anything this year, you trade him if you can get 1 or 2 top 15 level prospects, especially if they are close to contributing next year. Last, there are plenty of arms that can start next year (Asaad, Brown, Wicks, Wesneski, Horton) outside of signing a free agent.
Yeah that’s what the Cubs need is more top 100 prospects. We only have 7 already. that they have no inclination to move up. But they’re like trophies , They look nice on the shelf.
Hoyer has a prospect fetish, and they never arrive.
Trading Taillon makes sense depending on the return the Cubs offered. That same argument can be made for any of the Cubs pitching staff.
Prospects are like pitching, you can never have too much (many). I’m all for trading the “rentals” (Hendricks and Smyly) but I’d still listen to offers for Imanaga and Taillon. Trading Taillon and targeting another TOR starter with the money he and Hendricks leave makes a lot of sense to me.
Stock piling prospects also isn’t a bad thing, go back to 2016/2017 and think of how quickly our prospect pool disappeared with “win now” moves. How many “top prospects” would we need to deal to land Clase in the offseason?
He won’t be free. So you can count the Red Sox out.
With 2 more seasons at $18mm a pop, Cubs should be picking up a decent chunk of that to maximize the prospect return.
They don’t need to. Look at the contracts of Eduardo Rosario, Lucas Giolito, Stroman. His pay is on par with his production.
If the Yankees make a trade for Jameson Taillon, how isn’t that an admission on Cashman’s part that he was wrong in not signing him when he was a Yankee free agent?
If the Yankees make this trade, I think it means 1 of 3 things:
1) They plan on trading Carlos Rodón, who appears to be yet another guy who can’t handle the pressure of pitching in NYC
2) Clarke Schmidt’s rehab is not is not progressing well enough to expect him back at his prior form in time to be a factor in a playoff run.
3) Luis Gil is on an innings limit & will be moved to the bullpen shortly, thus creating the need for another starter; plus, putting Gil in the bullpen as a power arm would negate the need to overpay for somebody’s questionable reliever.
You make way more sense than the last guy. Except with the part about trading Rodon. Good luck with that. And the Yankees WILL have to eat part of that. The Cubs don’t have to, Or more accurately shouldn’t have to. But we are talking about Jed Hoyer here. We already handed you Panone on a silver platter. I guess we’re a Yankees farm team now.
I didn’t mean that they would trade Rodón to the Cubs necessarily (although, anything is possible).
I meant that they might want to trade Rodón to Somebody & replace him as a starter with Taillon.
And, of course, the Yankees would have to eat some of Rodón’s contract to trade him or 1) take virtually nothing in return (i.e., a weak prospect) or 2) take on a salary dump in return.
Does that sound right to you, Unclemike1525?
No I thought you meant the Rodon trade would be with someone else because the Cubs would have zero interest. Cubs are basically all in on young pitching for the future ( Or they should be if they didn’t have a bad GM). I really have no idea what the Cubs FO is thinking at any particular moment and I don’t think they do either unfortunately. It’s a confusing situation. If the Cubs are dealing Tallion I would have to think that they would be all in on that young Japanese phenom this off season, I forget his name.
I agree with you about the Cubs being “all in” on that Japanese pitcher (whose name I don’t recall, either ;-). Although, it seems likely a lot of teams will be in on him.
I can empathize with your frustration over the seemingly directionless approach of your GM.
Cashman is similarly inept; he’s strictly a reactionary GM who never seems to have a Real long-term approach fixed in his empty-headed mind.
Roki Sasaki is his name. But there seems to be some confusion over whether he’ll be part of the international pool or a strict FA open to the highest bidder. If he’s international he can still go wherever he wants to but he’ll get less money at first anyway. He’s only 22 though.
Yes, there were already reports in the NY press that the Yankees are also interested in Sasaki, and those stories noted that there’s confusion over how (and if) he would be available.
One thing, though, Unclemike1525, I think the Cubs would be interested in Rodon, if the Yankees ate a hunk of his salary, because he has proven he can pitch in Chicago (and SF), just not under the heightened pressure of NYC.
I don’t mean that as a knock on the great city of Chicago, but a lot of pitchers & hitters have failed under the intense scrutiny of the NY press & fan base.
For example, MANY Yankee fans (ignorantly) didn’t realize how great Cole was until he won the Cy Young last year.
It’s very hard for even greater players to handle the heightened pressure of NY. And that’s what makes guys like Cole, Judge, and Soto so exceptional, because they’ve proven they can handle that added pressure.
Everybody will be interested in a 22 year old who hits 100 mph. With him it’s all a question of where he wants to go and he’ll have a choice. I think the Cubs with Suzuki and Imanaga would have the inside track along with the Dodgers and maybe the Padres. It all depends on the kid. I’m sure any team would empty their international pool and give it all to him. As for Rodon I sincerely hope the Cubs are smarter than that. I can’t see any reason they would want him especially with Imanaga, Steele, and Wicks around all being LH. It truly would make absolutely zero sense for us. Plus he stinks. He stunk when he was with the Sox, Well he was hurt mostly and then mysteriously had a good year when his contract was up. I don’t want him and even Hoyer isn’t that bad a GM.
LOL. I didn’t realize you had 3 Lefty starters.
I remember Rodon giving the Yankees trouble when he was with Chicago (5 of 7 starts with 0 to 3 runs scored), but after checking his stats with the White Sox, I see he pitched just mediocre with them in 2015-2116 & was horrible thereafter until his walk year, as you correctly mentioned.
It’s comical, isn’t it, Unclemike1525, how many guys suddenly look great in their walk year with Millions dangling in their eyes? Just a coincidence, right? 😉
I meant that they might want to trade Rodón to Somebody
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At this point, they might as well hold onto him and hope for the best. They’d have to chip in like $50M+ to move him.
My comment was directed at Unclemike1525, but I understand & respect your view JoeBrady.
But being a Yankee fan for 64 years, I’ve seen too many very good players who couldn’t handle playing under the added pressure of the NY press & fan base.
Heck, even Randy Johnson, an all-time great couldn’t handle pitching in NY.
It takes more than physical ability & normal mental dexterity to handle NY pressure, because the NY press & fans can be Brutal, sometimes righty, but often unjustly, and that’s not an easy thing to live with for most players, regardless of how good they are.
I just happen to think that Rodon is one of those good players who can’t handle NY pressure–but I hope he proves me wrong. But I doubt he will, so swallow the pill now & trade him.
Btw, I don’t think they have to eat $50MM to trade him, given how many contenders are desperate for starters. Besides, I think other teams realize a change of scenery (and pressure level) will help Rodon.
It does appear Rodon to be thin-skinned with the fans. He’s also very indifferent when dealing with the NY media. You may have a very good point here.
reactive, not reactionary. Two different words
QED & Merriam Webster would tend to disagree with you, since MW defines reactionary as “relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction.”
And the QED agrees, stating: “Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, reaction; inclined or favorable to reaction”.
Historically, the word is most frequently used in a political & social context (as the QED notes), but that does not negate the fact that it can be used in some other context, since it means “characterized by reaction” or “favorable to reaction.”
You’re correct in saying reactive works well, but reactionary is also correct. But in my view, reactionary is more pejorative than reactive, which was my intent in characterizing Cashman’s approach as a GM.
So, yes, Cashman is a reactionary or reactive GM, whichever you prefer.
I should add, Alan53, that the QED’s word choice in referring to the political use of the word reactionary is revealing.
It states: “inclined or favorable to reaction, ESP. (emphasis added) to the reversal of an existing political state of affairs.”
“esp.” or especially does NOT mean LIMITED TO. It just means more commonly or frequently used in a political context, but that does not preclude it being used in another context, as I chose to do.
As a professional writer, I do make mistakes, especially in an informal context like this, but I don’t feel this was one of them.
But I appreciate you keeping me on my toes & forcing me o review what I wrote, Alan53.
The fly in the ointment to your trade Rodon parade is that he has a full NMC. That’s going to throw a monkey wrench in your trade because Rodon is going to want extra money to move so I think you’re pretty much stuck with him. And the money you’re going to have to eat with Tallion being a 3 time taxpayer is going to kill you. I know the Yankees print money but sooner or later even you guys will have to plug that leak.
Yankees need bullpen arms, a closer would be ideal really.
Red Sox should be adding but it’s the Red Sox, they can also stay pat because of cheap ownership.
acoss – After last weekend’s pitiful performance in LA, the Red Sox ownership was given an excuse they can now use to not buy. I don’t think they will sell, but I think anything they buy will be low-impact.
What’s especially concerning is the Sox didn’t even have to face Yamamoto, Glasnow, Skubal, Buehler, Kershaw or May. Last weekend proved if Devers isn’t helping Duran carry the offense, they have a very hard time winning.
Nation… help me.. him or bring back Nate if available.. Not sure what Nate is owed but WE know he can handle BIG game pressure… for me…. Nate, all things equal…
Much rather have Nate.
Olm – A long time ago I wrote about Nate returning to Boston! But that was before the Rangers made it crystal clear they intend to buy, not sell. So unless they crash over the next 9 days, Nate ain’t gonna be available.
BTW – Did you hear Baffert’s suspension was rescinded? He will be eligible for next year’s Derby. All he had to do was accept responsibility for the doping.
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I wouldn’t be opposed to this. Given that Taillon is signed for two more years after this at least gives the Sox another option if/when Pivetta signs elsewhere
Prime example of how you can make numbers fit your narrative.
Gil is NOT struggling…..he DID struggle. In his last 2 starts…..12.2 innings, only 2 earned runs, 16K’s and one walk.
Taillon is not a difference maker and at this price, makes ZERO sense for the Yankees.
I have a feeling the Yankees only make moves or consider moves with certain teams. Does Chicago want Torres back in return?
@YanksPhan. There is no difference maker out there for the Yankees. I have said repeatedly Yankees better not trade Dominez or Jones unless Soto is signed long term
Anyone hear anything about Boston trying to bring Nate back?
No but I would love it!!!
I saw something floating around YouTube yesterday about him maybe being available and Boston but could be nothing
Saw that too.. ( trades for every team or something) Saw Globe article.. Nate said he loved his time in Boston and that Redsox even went to 3rd year but he wanted to test FA.. when it wasn’t what he expected tried coming back but Boston moved on… probably wouldn’t cost much .. only one more year on current contract.. my guess take on his salary and 20-30 rated prospect…Heartbeat!!!
Slam dunk imo. He likes Boston, Boston likes him. And a money pitcher.
Might be more expensive than a RS 20-30 prospect, but we have plenty of mid-level prospects.
he’s unreliable in terms of staying healthy for any extended period of time and that’s not going to get any better as he gets older. Unless the rangers pick up all of his salary Eovaldi is a hard pass.
It makes all the sense in the world – bringing veteran leader Eovaldi back – all it takes is an owner that cares.
Well here in lay the possible problem…come on JH… spend that communion money…
Divert some cash away from the Penguins and let’s bring Nate home….
Do it, Jed. Especially if you can get a couple of decent prospects. Taillon is an OK #4 starter at best. See if there are any takers for Dansby Swanson as well, though I won’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
In other words the Yankees will trade for Taillon soon…
Devers sucks should have had that ball
Send them cubbies Stroman and a prospect. Stroman has to go. When Schmidt returns move Nestor to the bullpen.
I think the Sox are going to miss the postseason (just barely), but we are lacking grit and discipline. I feel we shouldn’t go all in this season because there’s no guarantee of anything
They need to trade yoshida move devers to dh and fire Cora then they make the playoffs
Yoshida won’t get traded at his price tag… if they started him regularly as a DH he might actually hit.
Cora won’t be fired. He’s riding out 24 before Varitek takes over
Send down abreu he sucks
The Yankees will eat Breslow’s lunch. Now with the Red Sox about to drop 3 in a row to the Dodgers I have my doubts Spendlow Breslow does anything at the trade deadline. I hope I am wrong. I am not confident in Breslow at all. It is like Chaim Bloom 2.0.
John Henry is the one pulling the strings
Said like a true Yankee fan
it’s funny how you only show up to whine about the team’s spending or perceived lack thereof after losses
@acell10 You’re absolutely right. I’m not giving him merit but I do think Sox might miss out on the postseason, just barely. But either way, this season will likely be a step in the right direction.
Yes I do. I admitted they played better than I thought they would. What has kept us in it is how badly the Yankees have played the last month as well. I did not like Chaim Bloom and do not like Breslow either. I liked Dombroski who was a good experienced GM
Al – Let’s focus on the Rockies first, Sox absolutely should and need to sweep them. But they will have to do it a man short, as Kenley will not make the trip because of heart issues.
I am wondering if Tanner Houck is staring to get tired. I think he is over the innings he threw last year. I am getting concerned about the innings thrown and the staff.
Al – It’s not that he was tired. After all, he had pitched only one inning since July 11th. He got plenty of rest.
My bigger concern is Devers. He had been carrying the offense along with Duran, but Devers has been really bad since the All-Star break. They can’t win without him.
Bullpen blew another one tonight! That is 3 out of the last 4 games the bullpen has blown the save! Unbelievable!
Al – It was a total team loss last night. The Sox made a couple costly errors (Rafaela & O’Neill), Cora used up his entire bench early, they hit into a ton of double plays, and the pitching was bad from start (Houck) to finish (Anderson).
Now today they have a bullpen game, which means Criswell really needs to give 5 innings if they have any hope of winning. Kelly won’t be available and other than Boozer there’s nobody I really trust.
Can you imagine if they lose this series heading into the brutal 28-game stretch of the schedule? They are now 2 games out of a WC spot with Houston, Tampa and Detroit all breathing down their neck. I wouldn’t rule out the Rangers either.
There should be no comma before “either” and “rotationmates” isn’t a word. Do better.