NEW YORK – Already this offseason, Jameson Taillon had bid goodbye to teammates Josh Bell and Joe Musgrove, traded from the retooling Pittsburgh Pirates.
By late Sunday morning, Taillon learned he was gone, too.
“Ever since I got the news I was going to New York, I haven’t felt nervous (or) overwhelmed. Just extremely excited for the opportunity,’’ Taillon said a day after being dealt to the Yankees.
“Overnight, I went from a rebuilding team to a team like the Yankees… where the only thing they care about is to win.
“That kind of lit a fire under me.’’
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Right-hander Miguel Yajure led a package of four prospects headed to Pittsburgh for Taillon, who could slot third in the Yankees’ rotation after his old roommate Gerrit Cole and newly acquired veteran Corey Kluber.
And the Yankees showed they weren’t done dealing, creating additional space under the $210 million luxury tax threshold by dealing reliever Adam Ottavino to the Boston Red Sox, of all teams.
With just over $8 million in payroll relief, the Yankees could reunite with veteran outfielder Brett Gardner and still have room to add another reliever of import.
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Ready to roll
Admittedly, Taillon is part of a group no pitcher wants entry in: The two-time Tommy John surgery club.
The right-hander hasn’t started a big-league game since May 2019, but “I’m feeling great, ready roll,’’ said Taillon, 29, who ended last season throwing to live hitters.
“Everything’s on schedule for me,’’ Taillon said. “I’m confident I’ll be ready to go and I can add something’’ to a club with World Series aspirations.
In the same five-year span as his arm injuries, Taillon became a testicular cancer survivor.
“It sounds crazy, but each experience is separate and you learn something new every time,’’ Taillon said. “I guess all the injuries just sparked a lot of curiosity out of me,’’ guiding him toward finding new ways to approach his craft.
“I love collaborating… keeping an open mind and never stop learning.’’
Taillon said he completely altered his mechanics to take the stress off his elbow, using more of his legs in his delivery and tightening up what used to be a loopy, whippy arm action.
“I had a coming-to-grips moment,’’ Taillon said, reasoning that “I need to change something or my career’s going to be over.
“I’m recovering extremely well; that’s exciting,’’ Taillon said. “But none of that matters unless I go out and prove it.’’
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Cole connection
A former first-round draft pick (second overall) in 2010, Taillon came up in the Pirates’ system with Cole and even roomed with the future Yankees’ ace in spring training.
“Every night, you get a five-star cooked meal,’’ Taillon said of life with Cole, which came with a side of pitching expertise.
“He cares a lot about his craft (and) his teammates,’’ Taillon said. “I looked up to him a lot as a teammate and as a friend, and I’m sure I’ll be doing the same thing with him in New York.’’
Taillon has already connected with Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake, warning Blake of the video avalanche he’s about to receive.
“I want to make sure I’m on the right track and keeping all the right habits,’’ said Taillon, who says his best pitch is his curveball.
Taillon expects to rely less on his sinker and more on his four-seam fastball and a truer slider (it used to resemble more of a cut fastball) to go with his curve.
He’s also “toying’’ with a change-up and has “recently found a grip I’m happy with.’’
Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.
Email: [email protected] Twitter: @pcaldera
