Latest update proves trade talks with Pirates aren’t worth Brian Cashman’s time

A trade between the Yankees and Pirates seems very unlikely.

Just about every Yankees fan was taken aback when rumors surfaced during the Winter Meetings about potential trade talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates involving first baseman Josh Bell and starter pitcher Jameson Taillon.

And it seems that was the right reaction because on top of such a deal seeming farfetched, it won’t be advantageous for New York. We must’ve forgotten former Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington is now running the show in Pittsburgh. Of course the Yankees won’t be getting any sort of favorable deal!

The latest from a Pirates insider suggests that general manager Brian Cashman shouldn’t waste another second speaking with the National League basement dwellers. Onto the next.

“I am told that it was the Yankees who initiated talk about Bell and Taillon during a recent chat with Pirates general manager Ben Cherington. So, neither player was being ‘shopped’ to New York,” wrote Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic.“At this point, the whole thing seems to be intelligence gathering by the Yankees. I believe Bell is a trade candidate and could be moved this offseason, don’t I see him as a good fit with the Yankees. The Pirates could get a better return elsewhere.“The Pirates still put a high value on Taillon, even after his second Tommy John surgery. They were impressed by the strides he made in rehab and helped to orchestrate his mechanical changes, and now they’re confident in the data they’re seeing from his throwing sessions. Plus, Taillon will make $2.25 million in 2021 — a bargain, considering his previous production, skill level and upside. At this point, with Taillon under team control through 2022, the Pirates would have to be blown away to deal him.”

There’s no sense in making any sort of deal here if the value for Bell and Taillon haven’t decreased in the Pirates’ eyes. Are they both good players? They sure are. But Bell is making over $7 million in his second year of arbitration eligibility and has had just one All-Star-caliber season while Taillon has made seven starts since the beginning of 2019 due to a second Tommy John surgery and testicular cancer. Just because he’s making under $3 million doesn’t mean there aren’t overarching concerns with his status moving forward.

If the Yankees are going to be paying a premium, it for sure won’t be for either of these guys. Cashman likely knows this is a waste of time considering Biertempfel acknowledges it was his way of “intelligence gathering.”

He “gathered” all of the “intelligence” he needed to. We’ll keep Luke Voit and find another right-handed pitcher with No. 3 starter potential. It’s going to be a long offseason. Looking back on these talks a few months from now will elicit an “Oh yeah, that,” response. A whole lot of weirdness and no results.

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