How the Pirates' front office earned Jameson Taillon's trust

MILWAUKEE — Throughout this offseason, the Pirates front office said the 2018 Pirates would exceed expectations, between their returning players being healthier and available, their young returning players taking a step up and their new players making early contributions. Count Jameson Taillon among those who bought into that philosophy early.

“You have to keep the belief inside the room, regardless of what people outside the room think, or what kind of chance they give you,” Taillon said. “We started running through it — or I did in my head — and I’m like, ‘Well, if [Francisco] Cervelli plays a full year, and we have [Starling] Marte back, and this guy steps forward and this guy takes a…