Cubs: 4 players on postseason rosters who are a perfect fit

Cubs: 4 perfect fits on postseason rosters: #3 – Jameson Taillon

In the same vein as Mancini, we find Yankees right-hander Jameson Taillon. Now, Cubs fans surely remember the veteran from the early days of his career in Pittsburgh. He was a key piece of Pirates rotations from 2016 to 2019, making 10 starts against Chicago and putting up a 3.88 ERA in the process.

In Jan. 2021, Pittsburgh traded Taillon to the Bronx in exchange for four prospects – and since joining the Bronx Bombers, he’s worked to a 4.16 FIP in 61 starts. Poised to hit free agency for the first time at season’s end, the righty fell just short of 180 frames this year and could serve as a nice innings-eater for the Cubs.

There’s a ton of potential in Chicago’s projected rotation heading into 2023. That promise stems not only from strong showings from guys like Keegan Thompson and Justin Steele this year, but unexpected breakouts from the likes of Javier Assad, Adrian Sampson and others. All that being said, it wouldn’t hurt anything to add someone like Taillon into the mix moving forward.

Cubs fans have their eyes set on an ace – and nothing less. Carlos Rodon and Kodai Senga seem like logical candidates, while others are starry-eyed thinking of Jacob deGrom on the bump wearing pinstripes at Wrigley. But if they fall short in such pursuits, there’s nothing wrong with taking moves to shore up the rotation in the meantime.