Former Seattle Mariners' Pitcher Comes to Terms with NL's Top Contender
Update, 3:20 p.m. ET (1/23): The deal is now complete, with Heyman reporting that it's a one-year, $11 million guarantee. There is also $1 million in incentives and a $1 million bonus for being on the Opening Day roster.
James Paxton and Dodgers now in agreement. $11M plus $1M Opening Day roster bonus plus $1M incentives.
1/22: According to MLB Insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to finish a deal with free agent left-hander James Paxton.
Per Heyman:
Dodgers are working on a possible deal for James Paxton. Not done yet but a possibility.
Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times added more information, saying the deal would be for approximately $12 million. He reiterated that the deal is not done.
Again, nothing done yet, but: Dodgers and Paxton are discussing a one-year deal in the $12 million range, per source
There's a few things at play here:
1) If he eventually does sign with the Dodgers, Paxton instantly joins a World Series contender. After winning the National League West in 2023, the team has only gotten better after signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They've also traded for Manuel Margot and Tyler Glasnow.
2) While Paxton would be a good and exciting signing for LA because of his name recognition, he still represents rotation uncertainly. Because of his injury history, he's no sure thing. Ohtani is set to miss the entire season on the pitching side because of elbow surgery. Glasnow also has an extensive injury history and Walker Buehler missed all of 2023 with Tommy John surgery. Beyond that, LA could be relying on young and unproven arms like Bobby Miller and Emmett Sheehan.
3) While there were rumors of interest earlier in the offseason, this would end the rumors of a reunion between Paxton and the Seattle Mariners. Despite the reported interest, it was always a potentially clunky fit, considering the M's already have five starters. They've also added Anthony DeSclafani this offseason.
Paxton, who hails from British Columbia, came up with the Mariners and pitched for them from 2013-2018 before being dealt to the New York Yankees. He also came back to Seattle for one start in 2021 but ended up injuring himself in that start and needing Tommy John surgery.
As referenced above, injuries have unfortunately been part of the story for Paxton in his career. He's never made 30 starts in a season and made just six appearances between 2020 and 2022. He rebounded to make 19 starts for Boston a season ago.
Lifetime, he's 64-38 with a 3.69 ERA.
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