The New York Yankees can say they have achieved their primary offseason goal: they have re-signed outfielder Aaron Judge to a nine-year, $360 million deal.
It took some blood, sweat, and tears but they finally got their man and can start planning the rest of the offseason.
They still need to improve the roster if they want to avoid a similar finish to that of the 2022 season next year: a sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros.
Now, they will likely have to go to the starting pitching market to replace a reliable pitcher.
“Jameson Taillon has agreed to a four-year, $68 million deal with the Cubs, per source. @JeffPassan and @JesseRogersESPN were on it,” MLB insider Mark Feinsand tweeted.
Jameson Taillon has agreed to a four-year, $68 million deal with the Cubs, per source. @JeffPassan and @JesseRogersESPN were on it.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 7, 2022
Taillon isn’t quite a star, but he pitched well in two seasons in the Bronx.
A Talented Pitcher
He is a former second-overall pick in 2010 who has had to battle lots of injury and medical issues over the years, but remains talented and in his prime.
In 2021, he had a 4.30 ERA for the Yankees, and that number improved to 3.91 in 177.1 innings this past season.
The Cubs have made it a priority to improve their starting rotation, and bringing in Taillon is a very nice move for them.
They paid a premium price for him, but they needed to secure a hurler capable of returning mid-rotation value.
Taillon provides that.
The Cubs are likely to end up with one of the top shortstops on the market – Dansby Swanson, Xander Bogaerts and Carlos Correa remain unattached – while the Yankees will keep scanning the starting pitching market.
They are said to like Carlos Rodon and Kodai Senga.
Will they end up with one of them?
