The Toronto Blue Jays received a significant amount of cash from the Chicago Cubs in the recent Jameson Taillon trade.
The Cubs designated Taillon for assignment on July 27, following a poor pitching performance this season, but they were able to work out a trade with the Blue Jays for the veteran hurler, sending him north of the border just ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
As part of the deal, the Cubs included a significant amount of cash to pay down Taillon’s contract with the Blue Jays.
Cubs Sent Blue Jays Cash With Jameson Taillon
The Associated Press reported that the Blue Jays received $4,956,791 from the Cubs to cover the remaining $5,390,374 left on Taillon’s contract, as he is in the final season of a four-year, $68 million deal he signed with Chicago ahead of the 2023 season.
“Chicago agreed to pay $4,956,791 to Toronto as part of Sunday’s trade that sent the right-hander to the Blue Jays for a player to be named. Taillon had $5,390,374 left from his $18 million salary in the final season of a $68 million, four-year contract, leaving Toronto in effect responsible for $433,583. He had been designated for assignment. Chicago will pay Toronto $1,239,197 each on Aug. 14 and 28, and Sept. 11, and $1,239,200 on Sept. 25,” wrote the Associated Press’s Ronald Blum.
After posting a 5.92 ERA in 15 starts for the Cubs this season with a -1.1 bWAR, Taillon had essentially negative trade value. So the fact that Chicago was able to save a little bit of money in this trade and get back a player to be named later is a win for the Cubs.
Jameson Taillon Shaky in Blue Jays Debut
Taillon made his debut for the Blue Jays on Wednesday against the Houston Astros. He went just 4 IP and gave up 6 hits, 2 walks, and 4 ER, while striking out just one batter.
An American-born pitcher, Taillon has played for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic as his parents are from north of the border.
With less than two months left in the 2026 MLB season, Taillon’s job will be to soak up innings for the Blue Jays the rest of the way. He will also be potentially auditioning for a job with Toronto going forward. If he has a good final two months of the season, the Blue Jays could look to bring him back next season if they like how he looks and think he can get back to the pitcher he once was.
Blue Jays Got Signicant Cash From Cubs in Jameson Taillon Trade