Taillon tumbles while trying to ignore Deadline distractions

CINCINNATI -- Jameson Taillon went to bed on Sunday night confident that he would be taking the mound for the Cubs the next day against the Reds. With the Trade Deadline looming, manager Craig Counsell assured the pitcher that he could rest easy.

“Craig told me yesterday, ‘Don’t listen to anything. You’re starting tomorrow,’” Taillon said after the Cubs’ 7-1 loss to the Reds on Monday night. “It was nice.”

Taillon maintained as much focus as he could on the daily tasks at hand as he went through his between-starts routine over the past several days, but distractions were inevitable under the circumstances. The big righty’s name has been connected to multiple teams over the past week-plus, and Chicago’s front office has been active.

Over the weekend, the Cubs acquired hard-throwing reliever Nate Pearson from the Blue Jays and then swung a deal with the Rays that netted All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes. Both trades landed players under control for multiple seasons, falling within president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer’s aim to add for “‘25 and beyond” before Tuesday’s 5 p.m. CT Deadline.

Unless the Cubs get blown away with an offer for Taillon -- a reliable source of innings and production who is under contract for $18 million in each of the next two years -- the starter fits within Hoyer’s stated goal of returning to contention next season.

“I expect him to be here tomorrow,” Counsell said.

Houston was among the teams rumored to have interest in Taillon, but reportedly swung a deal with the Blue Jays to add Yusei Kikuchi to its rotation on Monday. Baltimore already traded for Zach Eflin and the Cardinals picked up Erick Fedde. Detroit’s Jack Flaherty was scratched from his planned start on Monday, meaning a trade could be coming on that front, too.

The starting pitching market is moving, but Taillon took the mound as scheduled at Great American Ball Park. The righty yielded six runs on six hits -- including a two-run homer to Will Benson and a three-run shot to TJ Friedl -- and lasted just 4 1/3 innings. The mental toll of dealing with rumors could not be ruled out.

“He didn’t pitch well tonight. I think it’s easy to link the two,” Counsell said. “I understand. His name has been mentioned, so you can link it. And you’re going to think about it. When you see your name, you’re going to think about it. That’s real, for sure. But Jamo knows he’s got a job to do, as well.”

There is also the flip side of the Trade Deadline: making a strong first impression for a new team.

In the seventh inning, Pearson jogged in for his Cubs debut and retired the first four batters he faced. Then, Jeimer Candelario launched a first-pitch homer in the eighth and the next Pearson offering was a sinker that tailed high and tight and struck the helmet of Tyler Stephenson. The Reds catcher was heated and Pearson was subsequently ejected from the game.

“It’s not how I drew it up,” Pearson said. “That was not my intention at all. I’m definitely not trying to do that [in my] first outing as a Cub. Unfortunately, that’s what happened. The umpires made a call and I understand why they did it.”

Pearson’s ejection infuriated Counsell, who argued on the field long enough to also earn an ejection from first-base umpire (and crew chief) James Hoye.

“Look, guys getting hit in the head is not good. Not good at all,” Counsell said. “Their team, our team, not good. There’s just no intent there.”

Prior to that ugly finish, Pearson displayed the type of big arm (96.6 mph average on his four-seam fastball) that enticed the Cubs. Paredes was traveling to join Chicago on Monday and should officially join the fold Tuesday. Both additions factor into the Cubs’ attempt to salvage this season and make a new push next year.

“I know we say it a lot around here,” Taillon said. “But I do feel like we have a good group as is right now, and then we went out and made this team better, I think. It’s for the years to come, too. So that’s exciting. And I know there’s some good free-agent classes coming up and stuff like that.

“Yeah, if it doesn’t work out this year, I think we’re in a good spot to be good next year.”

Taillon hopes to remain a part of the front office’s plan, too.

“I love being in Chicago,” he said. “I love all the guys here. I don’t feel like I have to go shout it from the rooftops. Chicago’s a great place to play. Wrigley’s the best. The fans are the best. Hopefully it works out.”