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Needing to add another starting pitcher despite their limited luxury tax room, the Yankees traded with the Pirates for right-hander Jameson Taillon. In return, New York sent four prospects to Pittsburgh. Note the trade.
The agreement
The Yankees acquire: RHP Jameson Taillon
Pirates acquire: RHP Miguel Yajure, RHP Roansy Contreras, INF Maikol Escotto and OF Canaan Smith
New York side assessment of the deal
The Yankees added to their already volatile starting rotation with another high-placed pitcher after a serious injury. Taillon did not launch in 2020 while recovering from his second operation at Tommy John. Testicular cancer injuries and surgery have at times slowed his progress throughout his career, but Taillon, 29, is still young and talented enough to harness his starter potential.
How exciting was Taillon? The Pirates selected him second overall in the 2010 MLB Draft, between two of the game’s biggest stars, Bryce Harper (No.1) and Manny Machado (No.3). He had two serious juvenile injuries – his first Tommy John surgery (2014) and his hernia surgery (’15) – before making his MLB debut in ’16, when he made 18 starts and posted an ERA of 3.38 and 7.4 strikeouts on nine. In July he was hit in the head with a 105mph line workout but, perhaps recklessly, was allowed to stay in the game.
Shanna Lockwood / USA TODAY Sports
He started strong in 2017 before undergoing surgery in early May to remove a lump on one of his testicles. At the time he wrote on Twitter, “Today I lost a piece of my ‘manhood’. But today I feel more like a man than ever. Five weeks later, he returned to the mound. In 19, he took another course of action from his head.
Still, Taillon has been excellent every time he pitched without a break. In 2018, he went 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA with 8.4 K / 9 in 32 starts, including two full games (one shutout). He made seven starts in 19 before injuring his arm again and needing his second Tommy John surgery. His then-teammate, right-hander Trevor Williams, said at the time: “We are designing him for Returning Player of the Year, 2021.” That could be a smart prediction – in the American League.
In fact, the Yankees have at least two returning candidates in their rotation. Less than two weeks ago, they signed two-time winner Corey Kluber from Cy Young, limited to just 36 2/3 innings over the past two seasons due to injury. Luis Severino, their former ace, will start the year on the injured list, but is expected to return in 2021 after undergoing surgery on Tommy John last February. After Taillon’s trade, New York’s opening day rotation plans look like this:
1. Gerrit Cole, RHP
2. Corey Kluber, RHP
3. Jameson Taillon, RHP
4. Jordan Montgomery, LHP
5. Deivi García, RHP / Domingo Germán, RHP
As I wrote last Thursday, after the shortest season in history, it is risky for the Yankees to have so many pitchers who are either young, or returning from injury, or both young. and returning from an injury. But, having negotiated for Taillon, the Yankees may be better equipped than most to deal with these concerns. Besides García, their best prospect, the Yankees also have well-regarded right-hangers Clarke Schmidt and Michael King who could fill a rotation spot if needed.
Recently, a scout who watched Taillon rehabilitate himself from Tommy John’s surgery, Told AthleticLindsey Adler of Taillon “can be a # 2 when all is said and done.”
Taillon will earn $ 2.25 million this year and he won’t be a free agent until after the 2022 season. That, and four good prospects, is an appropriate price to pay for a pitcher who, even after his second operation at Tommy John, could be one of the best starters in the league.
Quality: B +
Pittsburgh side’s assessment
With their low payroll, previous last-place finishes, and recent deals, the Pirates are clearly in rebuild mode.
Already this offseason, they traded slugger Josh Bell to the Nationals and right-hander Joe Musgrove to the Padres. It made sense that they would also deal with Taillon, with two years in control of the club, before the start of the season.
For Musgrove, their top pitcher last year, the Pirates were given a four-outlook package featuring, among others, 19-year-old center fielder Hudson Head, their No.6 prospect, through MLB.com. Considering Taillon just had his second Tommy John surgery, Pittsburgh has done pretty well with his return from the Yankees.
Miguel Yajure, 22, has four more throws, with a good command and a fastpitch that peaks at 97. He should be ready to join the Pittsburgh rotation at some point this season. Roansy Contreras, 21, has three solid throws, although his potential is more of a depth piece than a forward or mid-spin starter. Canaan Smith, 21, is a powerful left-handed corner fielder, and infielder Maikol Escotto, 18, has impressive raw power, despite being a long way from the big leagues.
Category B
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