Astros Inquiring About Jameson Taillon

[Brock Beauchamp]

As we near the MLB Trade Deadline at the end of the month, rumors are starting to become more substantial and significant trades are now happening (AJ Puk and Randy Arozarena moved in two separate deals last night).

When it comes to the Chicago Cubs, it seems like most of the rumors are swirling around starting pitcher Jameson Taillon. His contract, while not inexpensive, it reasonable and goes through the 2026 season at $18 million per season.

The Astros' pitching staff has been devastated by injury and after an awful start to the season, they now find themselves in first place after passing the faltering Mariners in the AL West (a Mariners team that was on the receiving end of the Arozarena deal).

At this point, it feels almost inevitable that Taillon will be traded given the amount of interest in him.

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[Bertz]

The Athletic mentioned that the Astros are trying to get someone to take Rafael Montero back in a trade.  It's risky, but it would juice the return considerably and if Hottovy thinks he has the fix you'd have two months of runway in a lost season to work through things with him.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Do the Astros have anything interesting to trade?

[KCCub]

Thoughts on Shay Whitcomb as a piece of the return? His bad performance in AAA last season knocked him down all prospect lists, but seems to have made some adjustments with dropping his K% to 20%. Plays 3b/SS/2b. Has nothing left to prove at this point in AAA and is ready for his shot. Could stick him at 3b right away and let him finish out the season. There's a world where he's just a AAAA player or bench util guy with pop & speed. Not sure what to think on him, but have been following him for FBB purposes as Eric Cross and Chris Clegg seem to like his bat.

[jersey cubs fan]

The cubs should not be trading quality major league starting pitchers for guys that fell down prospects lists because of poor performance. They need quality. At this point quantity is worthless to this organization. 

[KCCub]

36 minutes ago, jersey cubs fan said:

The cubs should not be trading quality major league starting pitchers for guys that fell down prospects lists because of poor performance. They need quality. At this point quantity is worthless to this organization. 

Fully agree with the premise here. More or less talking out loud through the Astros farm and looking for need/readiness. Key word from my original post was "piece", so the hope would be we get more upside along with him (As pointed out, Astros don't have much, so they are a ****** trade partner to begin with). 

With that said, Whitcomb's line this year in AAA 20/63/78/24 .293/.381/.526 121 wRC+ 11.5%BB 19.9K% 407PA/91 games. He's been blocked by Pena/Bregman. It would be a Busch-lite level move to where you could start him day one and go from there.