*Photo from Pinstripe Alley*
"The Big Maple" Which is the nickname given to LHP James Paxton, has returned to Seattle. The Mariners have signed Paxton to a one year, $8.5 million deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. There are also bonuses that could max the deal out at $10 million, based on how many games Paxton pitches. The Mariners have confirmed the deal.
Paxton was limited to just 5 starts in the 2020 season due to back surgery and a left flexor strain. He posted a 1-1 record with a 6.64 ERA in those 5 starts, when he was with the New York Yankees. In Paxton's career, which he has spent with the Mariners and Yankees, he has a 57-33 record with a 3.58 ERA, throwing 753 1/3 innings in 136 starts.
Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto talked about what led to signing Paxton, saying that "We didn't really think that it was a high likelihood that we were going to be able to score a top-impact-type starting pitcher. One of the big benefits is how much James wanted to play in Seattle. I don't think there's any question that we were the benefactors of some form of hometown discount on this."
As long as Paxton can stay healthy, he is a big upside pitcher who can eat innings and lessen the workload of the younger pitchers in Seattle, who will likely have innings limits this season, due to returning to a full 162 game schedule. Paxton has a chance to rebuild his value this season and make more money next winter, and in returning to Seattle, has the best shot to do it.
Paxton said of re-signing with the Mariners that "Coming back to Seattle was the best long-term decision for me. Looking forward in my career and what I want to do, I want to get back to being myself this year. I really struggled last year, coming back from the back surgery. I'm comfortable here in Seattle. I love the group here. And I'm excited to be part of it."
The Mariners had interest in Paxton since free agency began, and were one of 20 teams in attendance of a public bullpen Paxton held in late November in Bellevue, Washington, where they came away impressed. Paxton was hitting around 94-95 mph with his fastball at that time, which led the Mariners to start talking with Paxton, and now, in February, the deal is done.
Paxton will have a rotation spot in Seattle, and is one of 3 locked down rotation spots, alongside Marcon Gonzales and Justus Sheffield, who the Mariners got from the Yankees after trading Paxton prior to the 2019 season.
Comments
Post a Comment