{"id":152609,"date":"2022-12-09T07:59:22","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T07:59:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/why-jameson-taillon-was-the-cubs-top-pitching-target\/"},"modified":"2022-12-09T07:59:22","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T07:59:22","slug":"why-jameson-taillon-was-the-cubs-top-pitching-target","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/why-jameson-taillon-was-the-cubs-top-pitching-target\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Jameson Taillon was the Cubs’ top pitching target"},"content":{"rendered":"
SAN DIEGO \u2014 When qualifying offers were handed out, the Cubs quickly whittled down their list of top pitching targets. The price for Chris Bassitt or Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t going to make sense to them if it meant giving up a draft pick along with what’s turned into contracts that are almost double what some front offices were originally.<\/p>\n
When ranking the starting pitchers without qualifying offers attached to their names, Justin Verlander was atop their list. Unless his market cratered and lingered in free agency in 2023, it was unlikely the Cubs were going to aggressively pursue the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. But next on that list was Jameson Taillon. As prices escalated and pitchers continued to fly off the market, the Cubs realized they had to be aggressive to land their guy. By Tuesday evening, they’d secured Taillon to a four-year, $68 million contract. It’s the same years and $4 million less than Taijuan Walker received from Philadelphia, but in the Cubs’ view, they believe they’ve landed the better arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s a guy we’ve had our eye on for a long time,\u201d team president Jed Hoyer said while surrounded by members of the Chicago media at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. \u201cHe’s a really good starting pitcher, he’s really consistent and he’s continued to get better as he’s gotten healthier in his career. He’s showing the promise he had, obviously he was the second pick in the draft. Really good (pitch) mix, good command and fantastic makeup.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taillon was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2010 draft behind only Bryce Harper, one pick ahead of Manny Machado. His pedigree is clear, even if the results have n’t lived up to that lofty status. Taillon was slowed by Tommy John surgery once in the minors in 2014 and then again five years later before being traded to the New York Yankees prior to the 2021 season.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old righty made 32 starts in 2022, logged 177 1\/3 innings and posted a 3.91 ERA, which was right around league average. Finally healthy, the Cubs hope they’re getting a pitcher who is just now finding his rhythm and entering his best years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI certainly hope so,\u201d Hoyer said when asked if Taillon is on the upswing. \u201cObviously it was kind of a rocky road for him early on. Since he’s been healthy with the Yankees, he’s pitched really well. There’s still more in the tank.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJameson Taillon, 6th, 7th and 8th Ks. pic.twitter.com\/nh5TqUI7gc<\/a><\/p>\n