Taillon Traded
Chicago Cubs Trade Designated Pitcher Jameson Taillon to Toronto Blue Jays; Include Cash
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The Chicago Cubs have traded pitcher Jameson Taillon to the Toronto Blue Jays after designating him for assignment last week, according to NBC Chicago. The Cubs also sent cash to Toronto in exchange for a player to be named later.
Taillon, 33, was one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball this season. He posted a 5.92 ERA and allowed 25 home runs in just 76 innings. His WAR — a measure of a player's overall value — stood at negative-1.0, among the lowest for any starter in the league, per ClutchPoints.
Taillon's Rough Final Year in Chicago
Taillon signed with the Cubs before the 2023 season. This year was the last on that deal. His struggles in 2024 were hard to ignore. Allowing 25 home runs in 76 innings is a stunning pace — nearly one home run every three innings pitched, NBC Chicago noted.
A negative WAR means a player hurt his team more than a replacement-level player would have. Taillon's -1.0 mark made him one of the few starters in the league to reach that low. The Cubs decided they had seen enough and designated him for assignment before finding him a new home in Toronto.
Blue Jays Acquire Taillon in Low-Risk Deal
Toronto acquired Taillon and cash from Chicago in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to Winnipeg Free Press. The Blue Jays also moved an infielder in a corresponding roster move to make room for him, Medicine Hat News reported.
The deal carries little risk for Toronto. They gave up no major prospects. If Taillon rebounds, the Blue Jays get a cheap arm. If he struggles, they can move on quickly. The trade was part of a broader effort by Toronto to add pitching depth, per Brandon Sun.
Can Taillon Turn Things Around in Toronto?
Taillon has had success before. He was a dependable starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees earlier in his career. But this season has been his worst as a professional. ClutchPoints called it "the worst season" of his career. A change of scenery sometimes helps struggling pitchers refocus.
Toronto will likely use Taillon in a low-leverage role at first. They will want to see if he can limit home runs and find his command again. He does not cost them much, so the bar is low. Even a league-average performance would be a major upgrade over what he gave Chicago.
Cubs Clear Space as Trade Deadline Nears
For Chicago, the move clears a roster spot and a headache. The Cubs are in the middle of a competitive NL Central race and could not afford to keep running Taillon out every five days. Dumping him — and sending cash along — shows how eager they were to move on, per NBC Chicago.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Cubs can now look for more reliable pitching. Getting even a modest return — a player to be named later — beats keeping a starter with a near-6.00 ERA. The Cubs are signaling they want to compete, not carry dead weight.
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