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The New York Yankees added another rebound contender to their starting rotation on Sunday, acquiring Jameson Taillon from the Pittsburgh Pirates for four minor league prospects.
Pittsburgh received pitchers Miguel Yajure and Roansy Contreras, infielder Maikol Escotto and outfielder Canaan Smith in the trade, which was announced by both teams.
Taillon, 29, was the second pick in the 2010 draft and won 14 games for the Pirates in 2018. But the pitching right-hander appeared in just seven games in 2019 and missed all of last season recovering from Tommy’s surgery. John on his elbow.
The Yankees agreed to the trade less than two weeks after signing two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, who is also looking to bounce back from consecutive injury seasons.
Taillon, who has spent his entire professional career with the Pirates organization, tweeted Sunday that it was a “bittersweet day” for him.
Bittersweet day for me here! Trying to deal with it all – I have so much to say to the City of Pittsburgh and my teammates. I also have a lot to say about this amazing opportunity and the city / the New York City fans. Thanks to everyone who contacted! More coming soon
– Jameson Taillon (@ JTaillon50) January 24, 2021
Taillon and Kluber, if in good health, could provide the Yankees with the experience and depth they need in their rotation behind ace Gerrit Cole.
With the future uncertain for free agent Masahiro Tanaka and his veteran colleague JA Happ having joined the Minnesota Twins, New York could face a dearth of proven launch options after Cole.
Besides Taillon and Kluber, other candidates for the Yankees’ rotation include left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who has only played 12 games since his Tommy John surgery in 2018, youngsters Deivi Garcia and Clarke Schmidt, the former All-Star. Luis Severino, who missed all of last season because of Tommy John and Domingo German surgery, who also missed the entire 2020 season while serving a suspension under the Major League’s domestic violence policy Baseball.
Taillon is expected to return in 2021 after recovering from the August 2019 operation, which was Tommy John’s second operation on his right elbow.
The mark marks the final step in a rebuild for the Pirates, who have also gained multiple perspectives in earlier offseason deals that sent All-Star first baseman Josh Bell to the Washington Nationals and starting pitcher. Joe Musgrove at the San Diego Padres.
Pirates director Derek Shelton told reporters last month that all trading would be done “for the benefit of the Pirates in the future.”
As for the Yankees, the exchange also reunites two former teammates of Taillon and Cole, both of whom were highly touted prospects in the Pittsburgh organization and played for the Pirates in 2016 and 2017.
Taillon recently launched into the majors in 2019, when he finished 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA in seven starts. He went 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA the previous season.
Taillon, who is on a $ 2.25 million contract in 2021, also missed time during the 2017 season battling testicular cancer. His first Tommy John surgery was performed in 2014, while participating in the Pirates minor league system.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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