Getty

Jameson Taillon responded to fans who made fun of him for giving up a Spring Training home run.

New Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman introduced himself to the squad with a towering home run during live batting practice. The Marquee Sports Network video showing the blast has been viewed over 110,00 times. While some fans lauded Bregman for the big swing, most responses focused on the victim of the home run, right-hander Jameson Taillon.

The majority of the barbs aimed at Taillon included some version of  “midseason form.” The term “washed” was thrown around. The video and ensuing replies made it back to Taillon, and he responded with vigor.

The reference to the 2025 stats was a nice touch. The 34-year-old Taillon is coming off a season with a 3.68 ERA and 14 quality starts in 23 tries. He’s right about the three earned runs or less stat, too. In fact, he could’ve lopped off March and really made his case. The Arizona Diamondbacks tagged Taillon for six earned runs across 4.1 innings in his first start of the season. From there, he gave up three earned runs or fewer in 19 of 22 starts.

Chicago Cubs Starter Delivers Swift Comeback After Solid Year

Taillon was an integral part of a rotation that included four 10-game winners. Chicago’s starters finished top five in the National League in ERA and innings. They led MLB in WHIP. Ace Justin Steele was lost early in the season, but Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, and Taillon picked up the slack. The Cubs also got strong contributions from rookie Cade Horton and swingman Colin Rea.

Chicago inked Taillon to a four-year, $68 million deal ahead of the 2023 season. The right-hander was coming off a solid year with the New York Yankees that saw him match a career high with 14 victories. The weight of the contract may have weighed on Taillon, who scuffled to a 4.84 ERA across 30 games with the Cubs in 2023.

Taillon got back on track in 2024, notching a 3.27 ERA in 165.1 innings. It was his best year from a run prevention perspective since 2018 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Taillon’s strikeout rate fell to a career-low 18.5%, but he limited walks and kept the ball in the yard.

Upcoming Season Could Be It for Taillon in Chicago

Barring a contract extension, Taillon will be a free agent at the end of 2026. He’s in the final season of the four-year deal that brought him to Chicago. A full year of good health would bode well for his pending free agency.

Multiple injuries capped Taillon at 129.2 innings this past year. He dealt with a calf strain in July and a groin strain in August. Taillon didn’t miss a beat upon returning, allowing a total of six earned runs over his final six appearances. He allowed two earned runs across eight innings in two playoff outings.

Taillon will likely slot into the No. 5 starter spot for a Cubs rotation that will look mostly the same in 2026. Lefties Imanaga and Boyd will headline the staff. The club will get a full season out of Horton. The big change will be Edward Cabrera, acquired from the Miami Marlins for a package that included top prospect Owen Caissie. Steele is working his way back from elbow surgery, and his timeline is uncertain.

Charlie Wright is a longtime sports journalist with more than a decade of experience covering college and professional sports. He covers MLB and NBA for Heavy.com. More about Charlie Wright