Pittsburgh Pirates: Rays Kicking Tires on Jameson Taillon

Already completing two trades this offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates are reshaping their farm system and trying to compete more towards the future in 2023 and beyond.  Jameson Taillon keeps drawing interest from AL East clubs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates farm system is improving with Ben Cherington at the helm as the General Manager of the club.  Under former General Manager Neal Huntington, the club appeared in a standstill.  After a 93 loss campaign in 2019 and the worst record in 2020, the Pirates have officially kickstarted their full tear down process.

First baseman Josh Bell was traded away for a prospect on the rise and what looks to be the replacement for Joe Musgrove in the starting rotation, with Musgrove being dealt to the San Diego Padres earlier in the week.  More moves are likely on the way with Steven Brault, Chad Kuhl, and Adam Frazier being the most likely.  In addition to that trio, the Pirates have two relievers in Chris Stratton and Richard Rodriguez that could also draw interest.

One name that has popped up recently is former 2010 first rounder Jameson Taillon.  We learned from Yankees MLB.com beat writer Bryan Hoch that the New York Yankees have done their homework on the Pirates right hander.  It appears that another AL East club has some interest, with Adam Berry, now the Rays beat writer for MLB.com, writing

"“MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal recently reported that Pittsburgh has also received interest in right-handers Jameson Taillon and Chad Kuhl. The Rays have at least done background work on Taillon, according to industry sources, though it’s unclear if that’s a sign of notable interest or simply an act of due diligence.”"

It is interesting to see Taillon being connected now with two clubs, as he is coming off his second Tommy John surgery of his career.  After posting a 3.20 ERA in 191 innings in 2018, it appeared as if Taillon would continue to develop into the top of the rotation arm that many thought he would become.  He only lasted seven starts into 2019 before missing the rest of the season and 2020 after getting a second elbow surgery.  With two known teams showing interest for Taillon, it looks like the Pirates will continue to trade players and it wouldn’t come as a shock to see one of Brault, Kuhl, or Taillon to be dealt.  Continue to check the site for rumors.