The Chicago Cubs are reportedly receiving the worst value in Major League Baseball from a $42 million contract that has turned into a major liability. The deal in question is widely believed to be that of pitcher Jameson Taillon, signed to a four-year, $68 million deal before the 2023 season—$42 million of which still remains through 2026. Once seen as a mid-rotation stabilizer, Taillon has struggled to deliver consistent results.
Through the 2024 season and into 2025, Taillon’s performance has been plagued by injuries, diminished velocity, and ineffectiveness. His ERA remains well above league average, and advanced metrics show a decline in strikeout rate and an increase in hard contact. For a team trying to build a playoff-caliber roster, this level of production—at such a high cost—is a drag on both payroll flexibility and on-field success.
The Cubs’ front office is under increasing pressure as younger arms from the farm system outshine Taillon, making his contract even more difficult to justify. Unless he can turn things around, this deal may continue to rank among the least efficient in baseball—a cautionary tale for mid-tier free-agent pitching contracts.