Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has explored a potential reunion before the trade deadline.
The Chicago Cubs signed Jameson Taillon to a four-year, $68 million deal before the 2023 season. Breslow was the assistant general manager and vice president of Chicago's pitching department at the time.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported that the Red Sox have expressed interest in Taillon. Another club with a connection to the 32-year-old righty has also reached out — the New York Yankees. The Cubs are still undecided about their trade deadline strategy, but they have two of MLB's most valuable teams with impressive farm systems inquiring about a trade.
Taillon has been reliable for Chicago this season and his numbers show significant improvement from his first campaign with the club. He's posted a 2.96 ERA with 78 strikeouts and 21 walks over 100.1 innings. Taillon's walk rate is in the 89th percentile in the league.
Red Sox and Yankees both interested in Cubs righty Jameson Taillon
Cubs Don't Expect To Be Deadline Buyers https://t.co/9ssjc6ydYN pic.twitter.com/4I84vlDdXj
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 22, 2024
Taillon is under contract until after the 2025 season and could help the Red Sox for more than one season. Breslow is well known for his ability to find quality pitching talent and the veteran has posted a rebound campaign for the Cubs.
Taillon's multiple-year contract could make him significantly more expensive than he would be as a rental, though, particularly because he isn't among the "elite" pitchers up for grabs before the July 30 deadline. Both the Yankees and Red Sox showing interest in the hurler is sure to raise the price even more.
Boston's rotation needs help, and a career-best Taillon could help set it right. He would give the Sox's staff a boost of veteran-level experience and stability needed to make a push for the postseason.