Earlier this week, the Cubs designated right-handed starter Jameson Taillon for assignment. Today, they completed a trade that sends Taillon to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
Taillon signed a four-year, $68 million free agent deal with the Cubs before the 2023 season. He struggled in his first year with the Cubs but
then settled in as a solid innings-eater for the next two seasons, putting up an ERA of 3.27 in 2024 and 3.68 in 2025. But Taillon struggled mightily this year, going 2-6 with a 5.92 ERA. He missed almost six weeks with a hamstring injury and got lit up in his first two starts back. That led the Cubs to move on and designated him for assignment.
It should be noted that Taillon was universally liked as a teammate, with many Cubs saying he was a terrific friend to everyone and a mentor to younger players. That should help a Blue Jays clubhouse that at least one player has claimed is lacking in chemistry.
Taillon goes to the Blue Jays, who are having a nightmarish season after coming within two outs of a World Series title last year.
The Cubs have a makeup game with the Blue Jays at Wrigley on Thursday. It’s very possible that Taillon makes his Blue Jays debut in that game.
