The Yankees have shown interest in Josh Bell and Jameson Taillon of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but can they get a deal done?
According to Jason Mackey of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates and Yankees have had conversations involving Jameson Taillon and Josh Bell. This could be a very intriguing deal for the Yankees, especially considering Bell would add a different aspect to their lineup being a switch-hitter and Taillon could provide some much-needed pitching depth.
Heard today from a couple sources that the Pirates and Yankees have had conversations involving Jameson Taillon and Josh Bell. Unsure on seriousness or scope, but it’s an interesting match.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) December 9, 2020
The only way I could imagine the Yankees making this deal is if they trade Luke Voit because, with Voit on the roster, there would be no space for Bell. The first baseman is coming off a down year in 2020 when he had only a .305 OBP and struck out 59 times in 57 games played. It was a small sample size to base last season on for any player though, so it is more reasonable to judge him based on his 2019 all-star season when he slugged 37 home runs and 117 RBIs.
Taillon, on the other hand, hasn’t pitched a full season since 2018 due to needing surgery to repair a flexor tendon as well as a UCL revision. However, he is a 6-foot-5 right-hander who is under team control for the next two seasons and could be a good risk for the Yankees to take if they don’t have to give up too many of their assets.
Regardless, it is important to remember that this is typical offseason banter and until we hear a deal is “close” or “done”, all of these rumors should just be taken with a grain of salt.