Jameson Taillon had a good year for the Yankees in 2022. He finished with a record of 14-5, an earned run average of 3.91, and 151 strikeouts. His 14 wins were tied for most of his career. His 151 strikeouts were the second-highest amount for his career as well. However, he also allowed a career-high 26 home runs. Taillon only went six or more innings in just 12 of his 32 starts. Taillon is currently carrying a projected market value of $14.6 million. This year’s free agent class features more talented starting pitchers like Carlos Rodon, Chris Bassitt, Michael Wacha, Tyler Anderson, and more. I believe the Yankees would be better off allowing Taillon to leave.
Despite winning 14 games, having an ERA under 4.00, and a low walk rate, Taillon did not have a good postseason. He made one appearance in the ALDS and lost Game 2 when Cleveland tagged him for two runs, including the game-winner. In his only start of the postseason against the Astros, he only lasted 4.1 innings. He gave up one run, walked three, and didn’t record a strikeout. While it can be argued that Aaron Boone took him out too early, Taillon didn’t help his cause by not getting strikeouts.
The other issue is that Taillon isn’t a strikeout pitcher. With many power hitters in the league today, being a pitcher that can get batters out via the strikeout is crucial. In 2022, Taillon only had nine games where he struck out six or more hitters. Against all hitters across the entire 2022 season, Taillon only got them to strike out 20.7 percent of the time.
Fenway Park, Rogers Centre, and his home ballpark Yankee Stadium are three of the most home run-friendly stadiums. At one point, four out of five AL East ballparks were the most home-run-friendly. This was until the Baltimore Orioles went to “build a stadium workshop.” Hitters were able to hit the ball hard off Taillon 36.2 percent of the time. They also were able to hit the ball on the sweet spot 32.9 percent of the time in 2022. Taillon doesn’t have a high enough strikeout rate to justify why he was hit so hard last season.
The free agent market has better options than Jameson Taillon. Guys like Carlos Rodon, Martin Perez, Sean Manaea, and others can dominate hitters and get multiple strikeouts. With better options on the market, why not let another team overpay for Taillon? In signing someone else, the Yankees will be able to get a pitcher who dominates hitters in ways Jameson Taillon can’t.
While Jameson Taillon had a good season, I don’t think allowing him to cash in on the Yankees is worth it. There are currently more talented arms on the market that would be an upgrade over Taillon. With how hitter-friendly most ballparks in the division are, the Yankees need a pitcher who can get outs via the strikeout. Let Taillon get a big contract from another team and upgrade the rotation with a pitcher who gets more strikeouts. While Taillon was a great story this season, it’s not enough to bring the championship trophy back to the Bronx. If the Yankees are thinking of championships, then they’ll let Jameson Taillon walk.
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