James Paxton returns to the future after two years with the Yankees, one very good and the other destroyed by more injuries.
Big Maple spent his first six seasons in the big league with the Seattle Mariners from 2013-18, and that’s where the powerful lefthanded returns. According to multiple reports, Paxton signed a one-year, $ 8.5 million contract with Seattle on Saturday night.
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Western Canada reportedly attracted interest from the Toronto Blue Jays and Mets before choosing Seattle.
Paxton, 32, probably would have struck a deal for more years and a lot more money if his health wasn’t an issue. Last year alone, Paxton underwent back surgery in February (a week before the start of spring training), and after being ready to pitch by the time the pandemic-shortened season started in late July, he ended the season. the left flexor. his fifth start.
That’s not how Paxton, who was 10 times on the injured list in eight MLB seasons, wanted to enter the free agent market for the first time.
While there have been reports during the off-season that Paxton is completely healthy and looking great on the hill – one that came from leftist Tigers Matthew Boyd last week – there wouldn’t be a big deal from anyone.
As with the Yankees, Paxton sometimes pitched like an ace during his time in Seattle. His highlights were a 12-5 season with a 2.98 ERA in 2017 and an 11-6 season with 208 strikeouts in 160.1 innings plus a no-hitter in 2018.
With Seattle looking to reduce payroll after the ’18 season, Paxton was traded to the Yankees for three potential clients: touted left-handed Justus Sheffield, promising right-handed Erik Swanson and outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams.
Paxton set a career-high for wins and starts pitching for the Yanks in 2019, 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 150 2/3 innings over 29 games. He was only 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA through July, but finished 10-0 with a 2.51 ERA during his last 11 starts.
Last year, Paxton gave up three runs over one inning in his first start on July 25, a loss on the road to the Washington Nationals, and he wasn’t much better before suffering his flexor problem, finishing with a 6.64 ERA with 17 allowed runs, 15 earned, over 20 1/3 innings.
But Paxton is getting a fresh start on his old ground again this year, and a good season with no health issues could lead to a big payout next winter.
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