Orioles trade : Team has reported in Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon for a huge trade
With the numerous starting pitching injuries the Orioles have faced this season, they enter the days before the trade deadline in dire need of rotation improvements. Much like last year, acquiring a starting pitcher seems imperative. Recently, Bruce Levine from Chicago’s 670 The Score reported that the O’s have shown interest in Cubs starter Jameson Taillon, noting that the Yankees and Red Sox are also interested.
Taillon is memorable because, 14 years ago, the Pirates drafted him one spot ahead of the Orioles, who then selected Manny Machado. This was not a money-saving move for Pittsburgh, as Taillon received a bigger bonus than the #1 pick Bryce Harper, indicating their preference. This choice ultimately worked out well for the Orioles.
As for the credibility of this rumor, it appears legitimate. The fact that it originates from a Chicago source suggests it might be based on information from the Cubs, possibly exaggerated to increase market interest. However, it doesn’t seem to stem from wild speculation or unreliable sources.
It makes sense for the Orioles to have inquired about Taillon, and it’s plausible that discussions have advanced beyond preliminary stages, making this rumor worth considering.
Currently, Taillon is a 32-year-old right-hander in the second year of a four-year, $68 million contract, with $18 million owed annually for the remaining two seasons. Such a trade would have been unthinkable under the previous Orioles ownership, but under David Rubenstein’s group, it’s a possibility.
Taillon’s 2024 season is his best so far, with a 2.96 ERA and 1.146 WHIP across 17 starts, averaging just under six innings per start. He appears to be a solid candidate to improve the Orioles’ rotation for the playoffs, potentially even better than their current options.
However, caution is necessary. Over the past three seasons, Taillon has been consistently healthy but not consistently this good. His previous seasons with the Yankees and his first season with the Cubs were around league average. His improvement this year might be attributed to better batted ball luck and a reduced HR/FB%. Any team considering him must evaluate the sustainability of his performance.
Statcast data reveals that Taillon doesn’t throw hard and doesn’t excel in limiting exit velocity, though he has achieved good results with a below-average fastball. His lack of swing-and-miss ability and low groundball rate are concerns, though he does maintain low walk rates.
A recent roundtable in The Baltimore Banner proposed a trade for Taillon involving Seth Johnson and Jud Fabian. While the realism of this proposal is uncertain, it highlights the subjective nature of trade evaluations.
From my perspective, trading Johnson and Fabian for even a league-average pitcher like Taillon in 2021 and 2022 would be worthwhile. Johnson, a 25-year-old who joined the Orioles from the Rays and has struggled in Double-A Bowie, seems expendable. Fabian, a 23-year-old outfielder with decent stats but high strikeouts, also doesn’t seem crucial given the Orioles’ outfield depth.
The real risk isn’t losing these prospects but acquiring a pitcher who doesn’t meet the team’s needs, as was the case with Jack Flaherty last year. While a due-for-regression Taillon could still stabilize the rotation, especially with uncertainties around other pitchers, the Orioles must ensure any trade aligns with their goal of strengthening the top of the rotation.
Overall, acquiring a back-end starter like Taillon could be beneficial, provided the cost is appropriate and the team remains focused on improving their top three pitchers.