The Orioles are among the teams that have expressed some interest in Cubs starter Jameson Taillon, reports Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale connected two other AL East teams — the Yankees and Red Sox — to Taillon over the weekend.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer admitted recently that the front office was prioritizing next season and beyond in its deadline dealings. That more or less rules them out of the bidding on impending free agents and suggests they’re open to offers on their rentals. It doesn’t mean they’re planning to aggressively market players under contract or team control beyond this season.
Taillon is under contract through 2026. The Cubs could certainly hold him even if they’re conceding it’s unlikely they’ll make a playoff run this season. The veteran righty is set to make $18MM in each of the next two years, though, so Chicago could prefer to offload that commitment and look to reallocate the money to other areas of the roster next offseason.
Getting out from the Taillon contract seemed unlikely just a few months ago. His first season in the Windy City wasn’t great, as he struggled to a 4.84 earned run average through 154 1/3 innings. His run prevention has improved here in 2024, with his ERA down to 2.96.
His underlying rate stats haven’t changed as drastically, however. He had a 21.4% strikeout rate and 6.3% walk rate last year, with those figures at 19.1% and 5.1% in 2024. He’s allowed fewer home runs and his batting average on balls in play has dropped from .292 to .275, helping his strand rate climb from 64.6% to 76.4%. FIP, which credits pitchers for home runs or the lack thereof, has Taillon going from last year’s 4.61 to this year’s 3.77. But SIERA, which normalizes home run rate, has given Taillon a lesser shift from last year’s 4.34 to this year’s 4.23.
Whether Taillon has significant changed from last year or not, he has a track record of being a decent rotation stalwart. He now has over 1,000 innings in his career with a 3.90 ERA, 21.4% strikeout rate, 5.9% walk rate and 42.3% ground ball rate.
The Cubs could hang onto him for the remainder of that contract but there’s also logic in making him available, as the long-term rotation picture still looks good even without Taillon in it. They could go into next season with Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks in four spots, with guys like Hayden Wesneski, Ben Brown and Caleb Kilian in the mix as well. Cade Horton, the club’s top prospect, is current dealing with a subscapularis strain but could be back on the mound later this year and in line for his major league debut. Prospects like Brandon Birdsell and Connor Noland have also reached the Triple-A level.
For the O’s, they are tied with the Guardians for the best record in the American League despite some rotation challenges. Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells all required season-ending UCL surgery earlier this year, knocking three arms out of Baltimore’s rotation mix.
Currently, they have Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer and Albert Suárez as the core four in their rotation. Burnes and Rodriguez make for a solid one-two but Kremer is mostly a back-end guy. Suárez is having a nice season with a 3.48 ERA, but he’s a 34-year-old journeyman in the big leagues for the first time since 2017. They’ve given brief looks to prospects Cade Povich and Chayce McDermott without much success.
Adding to that group should be an obvious target for Baltimore. They’ve also been connected to a high-upside option in Garrett Crochet but it’s fair to wonder if that’s possible or likely. It’s also possible to see both Crochet and Taillon co-existing in this rotation next to Burnes and Rodriguez.
Speaking of Burnes, he’s an impending free agent, which will open a massive hole in next year’s rotation. General manager Mike Elias has admitted that adding controllable starting pitching would make sense for the club, perhaps making the extra two seasons on Taillon’s deal part of the appeal for them. Levine’s report adds that Taillon’s contract allows him to block trades to ten teams, but it’s not known which teams are on that list.
@FletcherFan69 dont you think your O’s should target Grayson Rodriguez and maybe Corbin Burnes if they want to make a splash at the deadline?
Haha. Maybe grab Heasley too? Oh wait. He just got DFAd so that complicates things. I’m sure FletcherFan has it figured out though.
I bet if they offered Stowers and Norby the Os might bite on the Os offer
Maybe sign Chris Davis to an extension while they’re at it.
They would be great buy lows for my O’s… Burnes and Mayo for some brisket from Boog’s BBQ and some juicy Baltimore thug shakers, who says no?
So Burnes, Mayo, Stowers, and Norby for Rodriguez, Burnes, Bbq, and Thug Shakers?
Sounds pretty balanced. Depends on how you define juicy, but I can’t see any issue with this trade
Add coleslaw going both ways.
Trader Mike would make that trade in a heartbeat if it was on the table. Best FO in the game for a reason! #FlyHighOrioles #Dynasty #Norby4Prez
How bout mike trading his body in the flesh for skubal and crochet and a hot French dip with French fries
@sad. That works if mike is on a strict foie gras diet and team tube feeds him grain to fatten up his liver. Then you just “cut the baby in two” and half a mike to each team for their ace.
He’d do that for the team because he’s a gamer, or a thug, I forget. But, he’s got grit.
I think Taillon will be overpriced and for a reason. The Cubs will need to be overpaid for controllable pitching like this they aren’t looking for a full scale rebuild more like a quick retool for 25 and 26. Taillon fits their timeline.
Don’t worry, O’s fans: 18 million over the next 2 seasons means the Red Sox are out…
I would be surprised of the Orioles go get Taillon. They don’t want to spend money. If they did is this really how they would choose to spend it?
Really? He’s been very solid for the Cubs since mid-season last year for a team with marginal offense. The O’s could seriously use another consistent starter right now and his contract would be a great deal if the O’s went all the way.
All contracts are a great deal if the team goes all the way. 18 million a year is a lot for a guy who has been pretty inconsistent in his career.
He’s a career 3.90 FIP and ERA pitcher. Who has started 25-30 games a season outside of 2020. And, he was able to handle playing in NY. He’s not a #1 or #2 starter. But, he’s a good #3 SP, or a great #4. He’s for sure better than Irvin, Suarez and Kremer.
Agree with all that but I wouldn’t pay 18 million a year for it.
Wouldn’t you if he helped you win a WS?? Absolutely.
What do you think a pitcher with those numbers goes for? Look at what Lucas Giolito got. #1 pitchers cost $30 mil these days
What’s the realistic player/package going back to Chicago in a Taillon trade?
I would say Norby for starters but he’s going to be filling in at 2B for awhile with Mateo out for a good while. The big 3 would not be part of it. I have no clue now with Norby presumably off the block.
Maybe Mountcastle or Mullins? I don’t know what the Cubs might need for ML ready players.
@skinsfandfw norby for tyler Anderson? Angels need a 2nd baseman if rengifo and Drury leave.
Rex that might be a little much for Anderson, but I’m no expert. Maybe Dylan Beavers and a couple pitching lottery tix?
I see he’s under contract thru ‘25 which is something Elias has said he wants in pitching returns is multiple years of team control.
Having said that, he’s earned 1/4 of his total career WAR this season alone. I’m not sure if that’s a plus or a negative?
@skinsfandfw that was on the light side. We traded bradish for bundy. That’s how trades typically work. He might actually do better because you have a good infield. Goes deep into games.
Cubs ain’t taking Mullins or Mountcastle that’s for sure.
Mullins has dropped an awful lot and has what? The rest of this season and next before he hits the market? Nobody with half a brain is going to go bonkers over Cedric. 2022 or 2023 Mullins would have brought in a great haul.
Norby would/should not be necessary. You should be looking at a couple of 10-20 guys.
I doubt seriously it will be a talent like Norby for that trade. Maybe Jud Fabian and Seth Johnson and one lower prospect.
@Bobby Mongan half a bottle of Sriracha gets it done he has another year keep that in mind plus has a era under 3 and a all-star fine throw in the bottle of mustard. You might be forgetting that trades usually benefit the sellers.
Fortune typically favors the bold, if the O’s want to win a World Series, make a deal for Imanaga or Steele. Taillon is fine but he’s a “help us get to the playoffs” guy not a “help us in the playoffs” guy.
From the Cubs end, that conversation goes nowhere unless Holliday, Basallo and Mayo are part of the discussion. And it would likely need to be 2 or all 3 for one of either Steele or Imanaga.
The cubs are pretty set at 1B and OF. Having a Better backup than wisdom and bote at 1st would be great though.
I see this just as likely as showcasing Norby as anything; they have plenty of depth to cover 2nd base, including Westberg if they promote their star SS or star 3b prospect…
That’s how I see it, too.
@dano he’s auditioning for angels. I can see norby and flier for Anderson. They might need one if they trade rengifo and drury
Not alot if some team is willing to take the entire contract
Bad take, Cubs dont have to or need to move him. He’s pretty much worth his salary based on his performance. Jed only trades him if he gets something too good to pass up, Cubs might pick up some cash if it means a better prospect comes by. This is not a salary dump, more of just trading from a position of strength
That doesn’t in turn grant him value beyond what he is. He’s a number 4 starter on a bad but not horrific contract. He’s definitely not worth Norby but he’s gone from nearly untradeable to maybe getting a couple top 30 guys from an org.
Hes about a 4 career era which is basically league average .with 36 million plus what is left this season i bet jed would drive him personally to whatever team would take him and that money .if they get a low level prospect to make people feel ok about it thats fine but unless the cubs are eating some serious money hes not moving for a decent prospect
LOL, a #4 starter? He is at worst a #3. He could easily be a #2. His ERA is under a 3.00 at the moment and has been for a year and a half. He comes with 2 more years of control. Why are people so hyperbolic in chats.
Absolutely horrible take.
Because you’re the one who is incorrect and being hyperbolic. You’re just wrong start to finish and that will be demonstrated on the next few days when he’s traded for low end prospects (unless Chicago picks up most of the money)
I’ll watch as you disappear when that isn’t the case. I doubt he gets someone’s top prospect but it certainly will be better than a #20 in their system.
Chris..you do realize that if you check baseball reference his era in 2023 over 154 innings was 4.84 right and not that much better in 2022?..so granted hes had a good few good months in 2024 but you are delusional if you think his era has been under 3 for a year and a half..why do people quote stats incorrectly that are do easily fact checked in these chats. Lol
Yeah, I meant this year and the second half of last year. Wrong phrase I guess. Didn’t realize his August was so bad though. Still not a #4.
Norby and Stowers
Not on any planet.
Pick him up at the airport?
Maybe Stowers. Most of the benefit for the cubs would be offloading the contract. If the cubs eat money like the Mets did last year they could probably buy a better prospect though
I wouldn’t touch Taillon for what’s still owed to him plus whatever players/prospects you’d give up. He’s on the decline, nothing overpowering at all & somewhat injury prone.
Don’t forget that if the Cubs are looking to unload the contract to free up money to make moves for 2025 and beyond, the prospect return should be much lighter as the O’s would take on the $36-40 million remaining on Taillon’s deal.
No, that isn’t remotely true. They could just keep him and they can use him for 2025 and 26. He’s been one of the better pitchers in the league this season.
On the decline? The article misrepresents his 2023 season, it’s really a tale of two halves. He was great second half last year and has been even better this year. Definitely not on the decline, but also not a TOR arm. For the middle rotation vet with similar numbers you’ll be spending more than $18M/season. Go look at what Montas and the like got this year on one year deals.
Os Elias doesn’t take on salary.
Agree Orioles need a mid rotation guy. I’d go Bassitt before Taillon. Both in mid 30s, so age factor comes in to play. Bassitt contract is one less year.
All said; Elias goes with light salaried Fedde.
Elias was directly quoted right around the all-star break saying the O’s were in a position and willing to take on salary in deals if it made things happen. A potential deal with Chicago seems right up Elias’ alley right now — bolster the rotation without losing major prospects all by taking on salary the Cubs appear willing to dump to make moves for next year.
To your point misterb71, I’m forgetting the Os have a new owner. If Elias is saying that, its owner endorsed. Interesting.
I would still go Bassitt before Taillon. Os need a mid rotation guy now and next year. The following year Bradish, Wells and Means r back. And LOOKOUT for Seth Johnson.
Hate to the barrier of bad news but the Cubs are not going to “dump” a middle of the rotation starter with two additional years of control.
On the decline with the best ERA of his career? How many starters have an ERA under 3.00? Some guys learn to pitch as they get older by saving pitches by not trying to strikeout every batter
He’s not remotely on decline. What is with the awful takes in this thread? Sox fans or ill informed O’s fans? Cardinal fans?
Hoyer won’t do it but a block buster trade, Imanaga, Hoerner, Leiter, Alcantara and cash to Baltimore for Holliday, Mayo and international money makes a lot of sense.
Taillon, Bellinger, Miller and cash for Dominguez plus international money also makes sense.
Cubs are under the luxury tax, they should zero out contracts for 2024 to maximize returns and pay down deals beyond.
Smyly should be in demand, Hendricks may have some interest. Bote, Wisdom, Madrigal and others should be dealt for international money.
Cubs need offensive impact players. They don’t have them on the farm, they have good player but not middle of the order hitters. They HAVE to correct this, they have money to afford pitching in free agency, they also have pitching depth in the farm. Hoyer needs to be bold, this team isn’t good enough now, they won’t be good enough in 25 nibbling around the edges.
Bote, Wisdom, Madrigal won’t get you international money. They get you an international signee that cost $50k and is struggling in A ball.
The cubs are not gonna trade the best acquisition they’ve made probably since signing Jon Lester. Imanagw has 4 years left. You’re suggesting a complete fire sale. Which would be dumb. They’re not that far off from competing next year. Hendricks has 5-10 rights. So he has earned the right to veto any trade involving him. Bote and Wisdom wouldn’t get 2 for $4 gatorades from the local gas station. Whether it’s chevron or 7-11. Not sure what they have on the east coast.
You guys think Holliday is the 2nd coming of Aaron Judge. If you want Imanaga and Hoerner, you’ll need to give up Holliday, Basallo and Mayo. You are not getting a cost-controlled ace who would be contending for CY were it not for Skenes. Until Holliday proves it in the majors, he’s still a prospect.
Imanaga isn’t getting traded. I don’t know why so many “fans” want the cubs to have a complete fire sale.
It’s not a complete fire sale. It’s a realistic evaluation of the Cubs farm system, their team construction and free agency.
If the Cubs traded both Taillon and Imanaga, they would still have rotation pieces of Steele, Assad, Brown, Horton, Wicks while shaving off 30 million that could be spent on a guy like Burnes or Fried.
Why trade Imanaga and Taillon to turn around and use both their salaries combined on one pitcher?
You can’t figure that out on your own? Prospects that have impact bat potential + Burnes > Imanaga and Taillon + no impact bats.
Also, since Manfred has taken over, his focus has been increasing offense and has already kicked around the idea of lowering the top of the strike zone which is Imanaga’s money maker.
So remove two rotation pieces to buy one rotation piece and potential impact bats? Imanaga needs to be traded under the assumption he will be bad because manfred took over in 2015 and now wants to lower the strike zone(which I haven’t heard about).
I’m for trading taillon, I dont think he’s very good. But, trading a number 2 pitcher for unknown prospects that could be impact bats then signing a pitcher that makes you give up a pick is stupidity. Maybe just keep the pitcher and use the pick on a more mlb ready impact bat?
Agree jammer: trading either Steele or Imanaga would be pure lunacy.
And even thinking of trading Taillon AND one of the above, a person would have to be on some serious drugs, to think the Cubs would want to replace either of them with older and higher priced players. But who are we to disagree with the all knowledgeable.
Plus, yes, to think Madrigal, Wisdom or Mastro or Bote have any value is laughable.
They’re not gonna trade probably the best signing of the off-season. Ohtani doesn’t count. Everyone knew he was going to LA. He has 4 more years left.
I didn’t say he needs to be traded. I said I would trade him if it would net us a package like Mayo and Holliday from Baltimore.
I don’t know if anyone has paid attention but the Cubs are not good. If you look at their farm system, there isn’t an impact bat. There are good prospects, prospects that project to be very solid major league players but there isn’t a 30/100 bat in the system. Maybe if Caissie can turn his raw power into game power but that hasn’t happened yet and he’s in AAA. Also, Caissie plays corner outfield and nothing else, corner outfield just so happens to be locked up with two guys with no trade clauses.
Unless the Cubs shake things up, they are going to sit in mediocrity and waste the starting pitching we have. Maybe they can sign Bregman in the offseason but he really isn’t an impact bat either, just another guy who will lengthen the line up.
So, how do the Cubs improve? You’re not signing Walker or Alonzo because you have Busch. There isn’t an impact bat at catcher. That leaves you center field or third base.
I fully understand what you meant. In 2 years if Imanaga opts in he gains a full ntc clause. I’m just saying it would be foolosh to even listen to teams asking about him or Steele for that matter.
The misinformation is flying fast as the Orioles, Red Sox, and Yankees have all supposedly had interest in Taillon. It’s Bruce Levine, so who knows if any of it is accurate reporting.
The Cubs do have enough prospects at AA/A+ that they can package Taillon and a good prospect in exchange for a better prospect about ready to graduate from AA to AAA, from any of those three teams.
Yeah, it’s FAKE NEWS and trying to get clubs to bid against each other, which I’m gonna take wild guess they won’t fall for.
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Angels would make the most sense for the orioles Anderson and estevez/ garcia. Anderson has another year give them 7 million and call it a Day. He goes deep into games won’t blow his arm out. Insurance policy if burnes leaves.
I am leaning towards no sale. Jed will ask more that he is worth and teams will do what they do. Look for the bargains.
Taillon staying is not a bad thing. It is far from certain that Wicks and Brown become MLB starters or pen arms in a few years. Horton may not be the same guy post injury.
So giving up two years of control that still plays into your window is a gamble.
I can see Jed dealing Leiter and some vet pen arms that have been stable. Neris has a opt after 60 games and that plus his walk rate makes him undesirable.
I would not expect any impact deals pending. Might see a few pen arms getting under the radar talent and then Brown comes back into the pen to finish up the year healthy.
this feels like a no-brainer
o’s should be all-in at the deadline no better chance to win it all than now
The Baltimore Orioles are vastly overrated. They won’t win a playoff series this season no matter who they pick up at the deadline.
Yankee fan to the core.
The Yanks just took 2/3. So did the Marlins… Not to mention getting swept by the Cubs, Astros, and Cardinals this year. Even the A’s beat them. All hype.
The cubs demolished the O’s. Out scoring them 21-2. They shut them out twice. That’s not east to fir any team no matter how good or bad they are.
Where’s the LOL button?
LGM Mets in 7? Is that you?
60 wins is “vastly overrated”?
Orioles came into the season with nobody believeing 101 win season was real. Universally expected to be under .500 winning percentage.
Then 4 months later they’re “vastly overrated”.
Yeah, seems accurate, on-the-nose, good call…nah!
Our O’s have been really bad the past 25 games. Went 12 and 13 but it feels way worse than that record. Whats funny is the skankees have gone 8-17 in their past 25 games. Let the haters hate. A Yankee fan saying we are overrated and going nowhere while we are 2 games up on them for first in the AL East is hilarious.
The team needs serious help though. I don’t trust many guys in the bullpen and I don’t want any starter not named Grod or Burnes to start a postseason game.
O’s future is bright but the pitching needs serious reinforcements for us to make any noise in October. We don’t have the healthy bodies in the org right now. Losing Means, Bradish, Coulombe, Wells, and Bautista is a killer. It’s not our MO to draft pitching either and you’re really seeing the depth being tested. Have to make multiple additions there.
No thanks, unless they’re looking to unload him for nothing significant.
You can bet the owner wants to shed at least one of the 15-20 mil/yr salaries whether Taillon/Happ/Suzuki. FO too since they look done in ’24 and can try to lobby for reallocating $ to “better mix” power bat in the winter. Self-preservation for exec team.
Cubs should move Tallion to Baltimore for Ryan Mountcastle and another prospect. Gives them 2 years of Mountcastle cheap and the can deal Bellinger as well. Move Busch to 3rd with Mountcastle 1B . Or trade Hoerner and move Busch to 2nd then..or just use Mountcastle or Busch at DH
Uh, none of those scenarios will be beneficial to the Cubs. Busch is a 1B, and Hoerner is staying put at 2B. Mountcastle does nothing for the Cubs.
Busch was primarily a 2b and 3b in the Dodgers system. Moving him to 3b and Mountcastle to 1b benefits that offense. Sorry Morel is the odd man out
And Busch hasn’t played either one of those spots since he was with the Dodgers. Craig Counsell loves doing the stupid righty vs. Lefty BS. So if an opposing team brings in a lefty. He can ph Mountcastle for Busch. That’s really the only benefit to acquiring another 1B.
Actually he doesn’t. He views hitters and pitchers based on their ability to get on or get people out. He doesn’t place much emphasis on lefty vs righty splits.
Except play Gold Glove 1B with power that Busch is just now starting to tap into.
Taillon started throwing a Slider in May 2018, It’s a non traditional slider.
It helped elevate his game big time.
Google What is a Football Slider.
Trade that whole team except Busch
That’s not even possible and it would be dumb to have a fire sale anyway.
Why would the Yankees want to pick up all that money? Is this guy worth 110% premium over $18M? For a team that is crumbling into nothingness?
Say goodbye while he’s riding high. Will he be better or worse on a contender?
The Cubs want Basallo. With an extra year of control on Taillon and reliever, they may get him. And yet, that’s still cheaper than Crochet.
Basallo for Taillon is laughable. Never, EVER happen. If Basallo goes it’ll be for Crochet or Skubal.
Basallo isn’t enough for Crochet or Skubal and over inflating the value of prospects are how deals don’t get done. The O’s have to get something done.
You’ll have to include Holliday or Mayo as well for them. No way you’re getting Crochet or Skubal for just Basallo. This isn’t Mlb 2k.
The cubs don’t have major league pieces attractive enough to get Basallo.
Basallo would only go to Chicago if they were sending back major league help and a top pitching prospect like Cade Horton. Laughable to think Taillon would command anything like that.
You’re getting closer, but it’s not Horton. Problem here is that the Cubs don’t need farm depth, so they’re going to be specific. I don’t think these two match up well if it’s not Basallo.
It’s time to stop these “Team xyz may have interest in Player ABC” leads. Its only a story when a trade is made.
Then what is the point of a rumors website?
[ Every Team pushing for the Playoffs that has an iffy rotation } has shown interest in Jameson Taillon
He’s an innings eater, that’s exactly what Boston needs. Most our rotation is near career highs in innings pitched as it is, if he pitched to a 4 ERA but gave 6 innings plus every night out we should try to get him.
No thanks, we seen his track record, and playing in the AL east again definitely won’t help him