Needing to add another starting pitcher, despite the limited space for luxury taxes, the Yankees traded with right-wing Pirates Jameson Taillon. Instead, New York sent four prospects to Pittsburgh. Let’s note the trade.
Understanding
Yankees buys: RHP Jameson Taillon
Pirates acquire: RHP Miguel Yajure, RHP Roansy Contreras, INF Maikol Escotto and OF Canaan Smith
Grading the New York transaction side
The Yankees added their already volatile starting rotation, with another pitcher with a high elevation, who was seriously injured. Taillon did not launch in 2020 while recovering from Tommy John’s second surgery. Testicular cancer injuries and surgery have sometimes hampered his progress throughout his career, but Taillon, 29, is still young and talented enough to make good on his early potential.
How exciting was a Taillon prospect? 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 minor injuries – Tommy John’s first surgery (2014) and hernia surgery (’15) – before making his MLB debut in ’16, when he made 18 starts and had an ERA of 3, 38 and 7.4 shots at nine. That July, he was hit in the head with a 105 mph line, but probably unwise, he was allowed to stay in the game.
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He started strong in 2017 before undergoing surgery in early May to remove a mass from one of his testicles. At that time, he wrote on Twitter, “Today I lost a piece of my“ manhood ”. But today I feel more like a man than I ever had. ” Five weeks later, he returned to the mound. In ’19, he took another line off his head.
However, Taillon was excellent whenever he launched without interruption. In 2018, it went 14-10 with an ERA of 3.20 with 8.4 K / 9 on 32 starts, including two complete games (one shutout). He made seven starts in ’19 before injuring his arm again and needing a second surgery from Tommy John. His then-teammate, right-winger Trevor Williams, said at the time: “We are creating him as a player of the return year, 2021.” This could be a clever prediction – in the American League.
In fact, the Yankees have at least two Comeback candidates in their rotation. Less than two weeks ago, they signed twice Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, who has been limited to just 36 2/3 innings in the last two seasons due to injuries. Luis Severino, their only ace, will start the year on the injured list, but is expected to return sometime in 2021 after undergoing surgery on Tommy John in February last year. Following the transaction for Taillon, the rotation project for the opening day of New York will look something 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 rely on so many players who are either young or returning from injury or are young and returning from injury. But after trading for Taillon, the Yankees are probably better equipped than most to deal with these concerns. Aside from García, their top prospect, the Yankees are also rightly appreciated, Clarke Schmidt and Michael King, who could take a rotating spot if needed.
Recently, a scout who watched Taillon rehabilitate after Tommy John’s operation, said athleticLindsey Adler says Taillon “can be a # 2 when everything is said and done.”
Taillon will earn $ 2.25 million this year and will not be a free agent until after the 2022 season. This, and four good prospects, is a fair price to pay for a pitcher that, even after the second surgery. of Tommy John, could be one of the best beginners in the league.
Grade: B +
Grading of the trading side of Pittsburgh
With their low salary, previous last place completions and recent transactions, the Pirates are clearly in the rebuilding mode.
Already in this off-season, they changed the slugger Josh Bell to the national team and the right Joe Musgrove to the Padres. It also made sense to take care of Taillon, with two years in control of the club, before the start of the season.
For Musgrove, their top player last year, the Pirates received a package with four perspectives, especially Hudson Head, the 19-year-old center fielder, their prospect no. 6, on MLB.com. Since Taillon is coming off Tommy John’s second surgery, Pittsburgh has done quite well with his return from the Yankees.
Miguel Yajure, 22, has four plus pitches, with a good command and a fast ball that exceeds 97. He should be ready to join Pittsburgh’s rotation at some point this season. Roansy Contreras, 21, has three solid steps, although his potential is more like a deep piece than a front or middle rotation starter. Canaan Smith, 21, is a strong left-hander who crosses the corner, and 18-year-old defender Maikol Escotto has impressive raw power, although he is far from the big leagues.
Grade: B