Red Sox rumored trade deadline target can be Garrett Whitlock, Nick Pivetta solution

The Boston Red Sox are 2-7 since their return from the All-Star break. Their series against the Dodgers, Rockies and Yankees have revealed a slew of pitching issues the Sox need to fix before they have a shot at a deep playoff run.

One of Boston's pitcher trade targets is Chicago Cubs starter Jameson Taillon, but it's not the only one in on the streaking right-hander. The Yankees are also among the final squads in the race for Taillon's services.

The 32-year-old hurler has links to both clubs that may complicate trade discussions — Taillon spent the 2021-22 seasons in the Yankees organization before he signed with the Cubs as a free agent in 2023, where Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow worked as the assistant general manager.

Taillon is posting the best season of his career, which may explain why the Cubs are determined to ship him elsewhere to get peak value from his contract. He's clocked a 2.96 ERA, 78 strikeouts and 21 walks in 100.1 innings.

Red Sox, Yankees still in on streaking Cubs starter Jameson Taillon

The righty is under contract until the 2027 season, and the Red Sox would need to commit to him as more than just a rental. Taillon would serve Boston's squad well in 2025, as Nick Pivetta is an impending free agent and Garrett Whitlock will be on the shelf well into next season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

There would be some risks to trading for Taillon, though. The size of his contract means the Cubs would expect quite a haul of players in exchange for the starter. He also doesn't have a track record of success like his numbers from this season — he's a 3.90 ERA pitcher in his eight-year career, which isn't bad, but his 2024 stats are by far his best work.

Among the remaining starters, Taillon is one of the more realistic choices for Boston. He has years of experience and a connection to the front office that make him well-suited to potentially take on a veteran role in the Sox's rotation. Plus, they may be able to steal a valuable pitching option from the Yankees and give themselves a better shot at moving up the American League East and wild card standings.

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