Recently, a scout who saw Taillon recovering from Tommy John’s surgery, said The Athletic Lindsey Adler’s Taillon “can be a # 2 when all is said and done.”
Taillon will win $ 2.25 million this year, and he will not be a free agent until after the 2022 season. That, and four good prospects, is an appropriate price to pay for a pitcher who, even after his second Tommy surgery. John, you may be one of the best players in the league.
Note: B +
Sorting the Pittsburgh Business Side
With their low payroll, finishing last and recent transactions, the Pirates are clearly in rebuild mode.
In the offseason, they traded slugger Josh Bell for Nationals and right-handed Joe Musgrove for Padres. It made sense that they would also negotiate with Taillon, with two years of control of the club remaining, before the start of the season.
For Musgrove, his biggest pitcher last year, the Pirates received a package of four players, with field player Hudson Head, 19, his sixth player standing out for MLB.com. Considering that Taillon is leaving his second Tommy John surgery, Pittsburgh has done very well with his return from the Yankees.
Miguel Yajure, 22, has four positive shots, with a good command and a fastball that ends in 97. He should be ready to enter the Pittsburgh rotation sometime this season. Roansy Contreras, 21, has three solid pitches, although her potential is more like a deep piece than a mid- or frontal rotation starter. Canaan Smith, 21, is a powerful left-handed outside defender, and infielder Maikol Escotto, 18, has impressive brute strength, although he is a long way from the big leagues.
Serie B