Cubs (Taillon) vs Pirates (Ashcraft): 7/26/26, 12:35pm

[Geographyhater8888]

Cubs have given up 33 second half runs in 9 games, Taillon has allowed 11 of them. 

Edited 20 hours ago by Geographyhater8888

[CubUgly]

8 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Yep. He seems like a great teammate and overall good guy, but he has to be cut. He can’t take his next start. Assad has to be who pitches Friday. And if Taillon isn’t in the rotation there is no place for him. They have to dfa him asap. 

I can guarantee that whole locker room wanted him to find something in that start, as did I.  But he did not and it was even worse than expected - hell had one in the first that nearly went out of the park.  In the post game he said he was not naive to his situation; he knows he's hurting the team.  But he thought he could still find something.  Sadly I don't agree and the Cubs just really can't afford literally giving away another game starting him.  Fake IL ?

[Jason Ross]

5 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

I can guarantee that whole locker room wanted him to find something in that start, as did I.  But he did not and it was even worse than expected - hell had one in the first that nearly went out of the park.  In the post game he said he was not naive to his situation; he knows he's hurting the team.  But he thought he could still find something.  Sadly I don't agree and the Cubs just really can't afford literally giving away another game starting him.  Fake IL ?

What's the point of a fake IL stint? For the Cubs, it isn't like this is a "work through it thing", this is almost assuredly and age/regression thing. For Taillon, sitting on the shelf for two months with a fake injury isn't helping you get a new job. While I doubt any playoff team would be excited about him, it wouldn't be shocking to see a team have a rash of injuries between today and September go grab him as a veteran SP who's at least game-ready in terms of fitness. Especially after the TDL, it's kind of those types or...no one for teams.

The "phantom injury" this is almost always fan theory and rarely used, but I think especially in this situation it's just not one that works for anyone. You either carry him as a long reliever (though there are better versions of that on the roster right now) or you DFA him. 

[CubUgly]

22 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

What's the point of a fake IL stint? For the Cubs, it isn't like this is a "work through it thing", this is almost assuredly and age/regression thing. For Taillon, sitting on the shelf for two months with a fake injury isn't helping you get a new job. While I doubt any playoff team would be excited about him, it wouldn't be shocking to see a team have a rash of injuries between today and September go grab him as a veteran SP who's at least game-ready in terms of fitness. Especially after the TDL, it's kind of those types or...no one for teams.

The "phantom injury" this is almost always fan theory and rarely used, but I think especially in this situation it's just not one that works for anyone. You either carry him as a long reliever (though there are better versions of that on the roster right now) or you DFA him. 

It seemed to me that's what they did with Hendricks?  Did it not seem that way to you? For me it would not be a "work through it" thing,  Nobody is going to pick up Taillon or trade for Taillon right now and he certainly is not going to pitch in the minors.   Would a fake IL be as embarrassing to him as a DFA?  maybe, I don't know.   But maybe it would give him an opportunity to still hang with the team and be part of whatever run they make.  DFA would not. 

[Rcal10]

24 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

What's the point of a fake IL stint? For the Cubs, it isn't like this is a "work through it thing", this is almost assuredly and age/regression thing. For Taillon, sitting on the shelf for two months with a fake injury isn't helping you get a new job. While I doubt any playoff team would be excited about him, it wouldn't be shocking to see a team have a rash of injuries between today and September go grab him as a veteran SP who's at least game-ready in terms of fitness. Especially after the TDL, it's kind of those types or...no one for teams.

The "phantom injury" this is almost always fan theory and rarely used, but I think especially in this situation it's just not one that works for anyone. You either carry him as a long reliever (though there are better versions of that on the roster right now) or you DFA him. 

I agree a fake injury doesn’t make sense. My guess is people are suggesting it because he is a good guy and a team guy. Maybe he can stay with the team while “injured”. But I agree with you. That is just not something done. I am sure the players on the team realize baseball is a business. The team has to do what is best for the team. The Cubs gave him every opportunity to succeed and he didn’t get it done. They need to release him. 

[Jason Ross]

23 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

It seemed to me that's what they did with Hendricks?  Did it not seem that way to you? For me it would not be a "work through it" thing,  Nobody is going to pick up Taillon or trade for Taillon right now and he certainly is not going to pitch in the minors.   Would a fake IL be as embarrassing to him as a DFA?  maybe, I don't know.   But maybe it would give him an opportunity to still hang with the team and be part of whatever run they make.  DFA would not. 

Hendricks last start with the Chicago Cubs came on August 28th. There was barely a month to go of the season. And Hendricks was, maybe short of a "Cub legend" but more than a "normal player". Arguably, one of the better Cubs in the last-20 years. He made 270 starts with Chicago over a decade of time served. Hendricks was unable to realistically be picked up and added to another roster, especially a team who could even consider rostering him for the playoffs because of the time it would take to sign. He was given a good send-off.

Jameson Taillon is finishing up a four-year deal who played over half of his career elsewhere. While I don't think Taillon is a bad guy, he isn't in the ballpark of what Hendricks meant to the Cubs as a player or as an organization. It's also July 27th. 

It isn't about embarrassing the guy, but like what does Taillon gain from the phantom-IL? Do you think he's at a point of his career where he's fine being a mascot? Because that's what that says. It says "I don't want to pitch this year, and I'm perfectly fine sitting in this dugout, not helping the team on the mound". I would think Jameson Taillon would prefer the chance to continue to throw on the side and hope another organization values him on the mound versus...that.

EDIT: Also, the Cubs are going to need 40-man spots. Another reason to DFA him. August 28th was well beyond the Cubs adding players via trade, and a far less reason to worry about the 40-slot. The Cubs are about to add a handful of new players. They need the slots.

[CubUgly]

11 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Hendricks last start with the Chicago Cubs came on August 28th. There was barely a month to go of the season. And Hendricks was, maybe short of a "Cub legend" but more than a "normal player". Arguably, one of the better Cubs in the last-20 years. He made 270 starts with Chicago over a decade of time served. Hendricks was unable to realistically be picked up and added to another roster, especially a team who could even consider rostering him for the playoffs because of the time it would take to sign. He was given a good send-off.

Jameson Taillon is finishing up a four-year deal who played over half of his career elsewhere. While I don't think Taillon is a bad guy, he isn't in the ballpark of what Hendricks meant to the Cubs as a player or as an organization. It's also July 27th. 

It isn't about embarrassing the guy, but like what does Taillon gain from the phantom-IL? Do you think he's at a point of his career where he's fine being a mascot? Because that's what that says. It says "I don't want to pitch this year, and I'm perfectly fine sitting in this dugout, not helping the team on the mound". I would think Jameson Taillon would prefer the chance to continue to throw on the side and hope another organization values him on the mound versus...that.

I actually think Taillon is that good of a teammate.  Course we never really know these guys like we think - just my perception.   Of course he wants to pitch, but judging by his comments yesterday, even he thinks deep down knows he's unpitchable. 

[CubinNY]

If the Pirates make the playoffs, I could see them shocking some teams and having a run with the top of their rotation and that offense. I'm happy for them. 

[Jason Ross]

28 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

I actually think Taillon is that good of a teammate.  Course we never really know these guys like we think - just my perception.   Of course he wants to pitch, but judging by his comments yesterday, even he thinks deep down knows he's unpitchable. 

And how do the Cubs add 3 pitchers off the 40-man roster while carrying Taillon as a phantom-IL? The Cubs have three pitchers, Justin Steele, Shelby Miller and Hunter Harvey who could all, possibly com off the IL-60 and need added as well.

The math isn't mathing. The only alternative is a phantom IL-60 injury which, I think the MLBPA would catch and not be super cool with, and just draws attention. 

A DFA makes the most sense. For the Cubs. For Taillon.

[CubUgly]

31 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

And how do the Cubs add 3 pitchers off the 40-man roster while carrying Taillon as a phantom-IL? The Cubs have three pitchers, Justin Steele, Shelby Miller and Hunter Harvey who could all, possibly com off the IL-60 and need added as well.

The math isn't mathing. The only alternative is a phantom IL-60 injury which, I think the MLBPA would catch and not be super cool with, and just draws attention. 

A DFA makes the most sense. For the Cubs. For Taillon.

Ultimately Jason the bottom line it would border on negligence to pitch him again this year and all of this is just semantics....so however you want to do it - that's the reality.   Phantom IL does not work for you I get it and you make a solid case.  Not as cut and dried for me but so what.   He just can't pitch again for the Cubs this year. 

[Geographyhater8888]

10 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

Ultimately Jason the bottom line it would border on negligence to pitch him again this year and all of this is just semantics....so however you want to do it - that's the reality.   Phantom IL does not work for you I get it and you make a solid case.  Not as cut and dried for me but so what.   He just can't pitch again for the Cubs this year. 

The only roster spot for him is as a third bullpen catcher. The guy can’t be allowed to touch a mound, he’s incapable of getting major hitters out at this point.

Edited 18 hours ago by Geographyhater8888

[chibears55]

I keep checking X to see if Taillon been released yet, but i dont think itll happen til guys that are on IL start to return in mid August. 

I think 1 of 2 things will happen with him until then.

Come Thursday or Friday they will place him on 15 day IL with some sort of arm fatigue or something like that and Assad or Civale will take his start on Friday.

Or

They just simply replace him Friday with Assad or Civale and he'll be that last man out of pen guy for them til they decide to release him later

[InSeungHo]

Am I missing something? Kyle Hendricks last start as a Chicago Cub came on September 28, 2024. I was at that game against the Reds. 

[Adipost]

1 hour ago, chibears55 said:

I keep checking X to see if Taillon been released yet, but i dont think itll happen til guys that are on IL start to return in mid August. 

I think 1 of 2 things will happen with him until then.

Come Thursday or Friday they will place him on 15 day IL with some sort of arm fatigue or something like that and Assad or Civale will take his start on Friday.

Or

They just simply replace him Friday with Assad or Civale and he'll be that last man out of pen guy for them til they decide to release him later

I think Counsell gives him one more start with a really quick hook to Assad.

[Rcal10]

12 minutes ago, Adipost said:

I think Counsell gives him one more start with a really quick hook to Assad.

I hope not. That would be game 1 against the Yankees. And a winnable game. Can’t start Taillon. Just can’t. 

[chibears55]

He gone....