Gerrit Cole encouraged Yankees to trade for Jameson Taillon

The New York Yankees acquired Jameson Taillon from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday in exchange for four prospects. It appears one Bronx Bomber encouraged the club to trade for him. 

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole discussed the trade with the New York Post and admitted that he told the club to bet on Taillon and make the move. 

“I told [the Yankees], if you are going to bet on somebody, if you are going to go to battle with someone, that Jameson is the guy you want next to you,” Cole said. “He is not fazed. He always makes people around him better. He is one of the most resilient people I have ever known.”

Taillon and Cole pitched together with the Pirates from 2016-17 before Cole went to the Houston Astros in 2018. 

Taillon didn't pitch in 2020 while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. In four seasons with the Pirates, the right-hander went 29-24 with a 3.67 ERA and 1.247 WHIP. 

“He is champing at the bit to get back,” Cole said. “He will put himself in a good position [in New York] to adapt to all things because he is a pro.”

The 29-year-old will join a rotation that includes Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber and Luis Severino.