An executive from neither the Pirates nor Yankees whose team has been involved in the starting pitching market described the Bombers as strong front-runners for Taillon. An agent who does not represent Taillon said he heard talks with the Yankees were advancing. Nevertheless, no official from the Yankees or Pirates responded to queries about the status of a trade.
Taillon’s stuff has never been in question. In 2010, he was drafted second overall by Pittsburgh, sandwiched between Bryce Harper and Manny Machado (Pittsburgh took Cole with the No. 1 overall pick in 2011). But Taillon has been beset by a string of ailments. When healthy in 2018, the righty was 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts. Nevertheless, he needed Tommy John surgery in August 2019 and that kept him out for 2020 as well.
Taillon is due $2.25 million in 2021 so he fits into the Yankees calculations to stay under the $210 million luxury tax threshold at least to begin the year and he cannot be a free agent until after the 2022 campaign. Taillon turned 29 in November 2020. He was attempting biomechanical changes to his delivery during his rehab last year, including a shorter arm swing, to try to alleviate injuries.
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nypost.com]
