RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 4 sourcesWhy Cubs designated Jameson Taillon for assignment in last year of $68M deal originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Chicago Cubs , with a week until the 2026 MLB trade deadline on August 3, have a clear need in the starting rotation amid injuries and poor production.
But, despite the team's need for starting pitching, they've made a little bit of a surprising roster move one week from the deadline. The Cubs announced they designated veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon for assignment.
But why did the Cubs DFA Taillon in the middle of the season despite his big contract and the fact that they already needed rotation help? Well, his roster spot wasn't guaranteed beyond the deadline in one week.
Why Cubs DFA'd Jameson Taillon one week from deadline
"Today's roster moves presented by @NuveenInv: Andrew Wantz, selected. Jameson Taillon, designated for assignment," the Cubs announced.
The Cubs are calling up 30-year-old right-hander Andrew Wantz, who has a 5.63 ERA in 48 innings pitched this season in the minors. He has a 4.20 ERA in the Majors across 120 innings pitched.
He's replacing Taillon on the big league roster, and this shouldn't be a huge surprise. Taillon just pitched on Sunday, allowing seven earned runs in 4.0 innings of work to raise his ERA to 5.92 on the season.
In 15 starts, Taillon has allowed a career-worst 5.92 ERA with a 2-6 record, -0.9 bWAR, and has allowed the National League's most home runs this season with 25 on 76 hits.
The 35-year-old is in the final year of a four-year, $68 million contract. But his struggles on the mound have forced the Cubs' hand, as they've DFA'd him.
Part of why, beyond simply his struggles for the team, is that the Cubs probably were going to replace him come the trade deadline anyway.
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Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd are the big two starters currently in Chicago. Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown are working their way back from injury, while Colin Rea, David Peterson, Javier Assad, and Aaron Civale are depth pieces.
Add a top starting pitcher at the deadline to this mix, and there's not really a need for Taillon. The Cubs have ample depth options and would have enough starters for a postseason series.
There's just not really any reason to hold onto Taillon, and by designating him for assignment now, the Cubs can add to their pitching staff for the next week, while still exploring trades for the 34-year-old righty.
The Cubs designated Taillon for assignment as his struggles were too much, and the team likely didn't have him in their plans beyond the deadline.
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