[ad_1]
| MLB Writer
Will the start of the 2021 MLB season be delayed?
What I’m hearing: Baseball owners and the players union have different expectations going into the 2021 season. That includes when the season is actually expected to begin.
USA TODAY
NEW YORK – Already this offseason, Jameson Taillon had said goodbye to his teammates Josh Bell and Joe Musgrove, traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Late Sunday morning, Taillon learned that he too was gone.
“Since hearing the news that I was going to New York, I haven’t felt nervous (or) overwhelmed. Just extremely excited for this opportunity, ” Taillon said a day after being distributed to the Yankees.
“Overnight I went from a rebuild team to a team like the Yankees & mldr; where the only thing that matters to them is to win.
“It started a fire under me. ”
JAMESON SIZE: 5 things to know about the New York Yankees’ new pitcher
Right-hander Miguel Yajure led a four-pack of prospects in Pittsburgh for Taillon, who could place third in the Yankees’ rotation after former roommate Gerrit Cole and newly acquired veteran Corey Kluber.
And the Yankees have shown they are not done dealing, creating additional space below the $ 210 million luxury tax threshold by offering reliever Adam Ottavino to the Boston Red Sox, of all teams.
With just over $ 8 million in payroll relief, the Yankees could find veteran outfielder Brett Gardner and still have room to add another import reliever.
ROTATION: Projection of the Yankees’ rotation after the exchange of Jameson Taillon
Ready to go
Admittedly, Taillon is part of a group that no pitcher wants to enter: the Tommy John double surgery club.
The right-hander hasn’t started a big league game since May 2019, but “I feel great, ready to roll,” said Taillon, 29, who finished last season pitching live hitters.
“Everything is as planned for me,” said Taillon. “I am convinced that I will be ready to go and that I can add something” to a club with World Series aspirations.
During the same five-year period as his arm injuries, Taillon became a testicular cancer survivor.
“It sounds crazy, but every experience is distinct and you learn something new every time,” Taillon said. “I guess all these injuries just sparked a lot of curiosity in me,” leading him to find new ways to approach his profession.
“I love to collaborate … keep an open mind and never stop learning. ”
Taillon said he completely altered his mechanics to relieve stress on his elbow, using his legs more in his childbirth and tightening up what was once a looping and whipping arm action.
“I had a moment of grip,” Taillon said, feeling that “I have to change something or my career is going to be over.
“I’m recovering extremely well; it’s exciting, ” Taillon said. “But none of that matters unless I go out and prove it.” ”
YANKEES: Aaron Judge ready for report on time at Yankees camp
Cole Connection
A former first-round draft pick (second overall) in 2010, Taillon entered the Pirates system with Cole and even shared with the future Yankees ace in spring training.
“Every night you get a five-star cooked meal,” Taillon said of living with Cole, who came with pitching expertise.
“He cares a lot about his job (and) his teammates,” Taillon said. “I admired him a lot as a teammate and a friend, and I’m sure I will do the same with him in New York. ”
Taillon has previously connected with Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake warning Blake of the avalanche video he’s about to receive.
“I want to make sure I’m on the right track and keeping all the good habits,” said Taillon, who says his best pitch is his curve ball.
Taillon expects to rely less on his lead and more on his fastball with four seams and a truer slider (he looked more like a cut fastball) to follow his curve.
He also ‘plays’ with a change and has ‘recently found a hold that I’m happy with’.
Pete Caldera is the Yankees-beaten writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.
Email: [email protected] Twitter: @pcaldera
[ad_2]
Source link