James Paxton is back with the Mariners after two seasons with the Yankees. (Getty)
With the Mariners’ signing of James Paxton official, general manager Jerry Dipoto can just about close the door off-season.
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The official announcement of the addition of Ken Giles in Seattle is the only point of affairs unresolved as the Mariners begin spring training, and a better view of Dipoto’s off-season – which looked deceptively quiet on the surface – came in. picture as he discussed the signing of Paxton to the media Thursday afternoon.
Dipoto was flawless in his off-season goals from day 1.
He wanted to add multiple arms to the bullpen. To check. He wanted to add a starter, and did so with the signing of Chris Flexen. After that, he said he wouldn’t mind adding another one if it went well, or, as it turns out, didn’t go quite right. Is there missing in this photo? Dipoto’s aim to add a left-handed bat.
“We were exhausting in finding the right addition to our line-up. We just fell short at every turn, ”he admitted. “We had a set of goals that we thought were all ideal, and we tried to go out and get them. In all these cases, we offered multi-year contracts that seemed to fit what we were trying to do, not just for 2021 but for 2022 and possibly beyond. “
Dipoto was looking for a free left-handed hitter to balance the line-up. Ideally, that player could be playing left field or second base. There were two that the Mariners were particularly excited about and a third player who would have worked. The team was associated with Kolten Wong and Tommy La Stella this winter, but signed elsewhere. Ultimately, that may not be a bad thing.
“We were aggressive in that market; we just didn’t manage to bring in the offensive piece we wanted to add, ”said Dipoto. “Once we realized the best fits were off the board for us, we turned our attention to what could have the most impact.”
Although they had kept in touch with Paxton and his representatives during the off-season, they were not alone. A strong bullpen session in November had teams interested, keeping Paxton in the Dare to Dream category for the Mariners.
“We didn’t really think there was a good chance we would be able to score a starting pitcher of the highest type,” said Dipoto. James threw the ball so well in November. I suspect they saw the same as we did. “
There was, of course, the fame, a factor that pushed both parties closer to an agreement.
“Coming back to Seattle was the best long-term decision for me to look forward in my career and what I want to do,” said Paxton. “I want to come back to myself this year. I was really struggling to come back from back surgery (in 2020). I feel comfortable here in Seattle, I love the group here and I am excited to be a part of it. “
If a young team’s fit is a bit off, Dipoto believes Paxton can benefit the Mariners in more ways than one.
“By adding James to the pitching we have in house, we have a great opportunity to continue to develop our young boys while competing to the best of our ability,” he said.
Returning to Seattle, two years older and with very different experience after pitching on the biggest baseball stage in New York, Paxton is also poised to take on a leadership role.
“Post-season pitching was fantastic, a great experience for me and something I can share with the guys here,” he said. “The very pressure, the extra pressure that you have in New York, having that experience, being able to talk to guys about it here and tell them what I learned through that experience, I think that will be very good for us as a group. “
While Dipoto was unable to land what he wanted in a left-handed bat, he did add a left-handed one that could have a significant impact in Paxton. The rotation is almost set and the lineup will shake itself off, and it will do this with familiar faces as the off-season door is nearly closed.
Almost.
“We go along with what we have (for the left-handed bat) and remain open to any other opportunities that arise with the pitching staff,” said Dipoto. “That’s an area where you can gather so much depth, the better. Keep stacking it up. We need all the pitching, just like any other club. “
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