After two years with the Yankees, James Paxton returns to the Mariners for 2021. (Getty)
So Jerry Dipoto was not finished. Although the announcement will not appear until next week, as the deal is pending, Mariners and James Paxton agree on a one-year contract with a base of $ 8.5 million and bonuses that could lead to $ 10 million. After two years with the Yankees, Big Maple is back.
Sailors reunite with left-handed pitcher James Paxton on a 1-year contract
Better late than never. Paxton had been on the sailors’ radar since the start of the off-season. In late November, the 32-year-old from Ladner, BC threw a bullpen at ATI Physical Therapy in Bellevue in front of representatives from almost every MLB team. Among the groups: Jerry Dipoto, assistant general manager Justin Hollander and manager Scott Servais. The session went well and served its purpose, with a number of teams expressing interest.
Not knowing what their chances were of landing on the left, the sailors kept in regular contact with Paxton’s agent, Scott Boras, after the throwing session, and the agreement was concluded in the last few days.
With the Yankees, Paxton played well when he was healthy. In 2019, he achieved an ERA of 3.82 while going 15-6 with 186 shots in 150 innings 2/3. However, 2020 began with a worrying start, with surprise news in early February that he will miss three to four months after undergoing surgery to repair a lumbar disc herniation. Paxton made just five starts after returning in July, before being stopped with a flexor tension in his left elbow. In all respects, the injuries are behind him, with positive reports coming out of the ATI throwing session.
It is noteworthy that Paxton has worked at ATI since 2017. Familiarization with the organization and the area has played a role in signing the one-year agreement, which is essentially a “prove it” contract. If he throws well, Paxton could benefit the Mariners in a post-season run attempt or, like his former “Big Three” teammate Taijuan Walker last year, he could be traded with a competitor. on time.
(For now) Paxton is now returning to the Mariners to join a rotation that will include one of the players for whom he was changed, Justus Sheffield, as well as Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi and Chris Flexen.
Sailors going with a rotation of six men, one place remains open and suddenly an interesting position battle developed with two players who finished the season in rotation, Justin Dunn and Nick Margevicius, fighting him alongside Logan Gilbert, about which Dipoto said he will have a chance to compete for a place in the spring training. This is a rather different picture from a year ago, when young players were given the opportunity to get their feet wet. This year, they will have to win it.
Paxton becomes the fourth free agent signed to a Major League Mariners deal this winter, joining Chris Flexen, Keynan Middleton, Kendall Graveman and Ken Giles.
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