Cubs sign pitcher Jameson Taillon to four-year contract
CHICAGO (CBS/AP) -- The Cubs and right-hander Jameson Taillon have finalized a four-year contract worth roughly $68 million.
The announcement on Monday came nearly two weeks after the sides agreed to the deal. The Cubs also have added All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson and 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger this offseason.
The 31-year-old Taillon is coming off a solid season with the New York Yankees, going 14-5 with a 3.91 ERA. He matched his career high with 32 starts and worked 177 1/3 innings, his best total since he logged 191 innings in 2018.
The move puts Taillon back in the NL Central after he began his career with Pittsburgh. Taillon made his major league debut in 2016 and went 29-24 with a 3.67 ERA in 82 starts in his first four seasons with the Pirates.
Taillon has some prior experience at the Friendly Confines, where he has made four starts in his career.
"I've had a couple good games there and I've had some bad games. Playing against the Cubs when they were really good and the place was absolutely rocking is a really, really cool environment," Taillon said. "So, excited to be a part of it. Hopefully we can bring, you know, a winning team to Wrigley. When I was there from '16 through '19, it was a crazy place to play."
Taillon missed the 2020 season after he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow for a second time. He was traded to the Yankees in January 2021 for four prospects.
The Cubs went 74-88 last season and finished third in the NL Central. They Cubs were 40-31 in their last 71 games.
