James Paxton Returns To Seattle Mariners
QUICK REACTION (Paul Semendinger):
I was high on James Paxton, but his tenure in New York just didn’t work out as planned.
The Yankees could use a solid left-handed starter. Paxton could be that. On the other hand, he has not been able to stay healthy throughout his big league career. He’s never pitched more than 160 innings in a season.
The Yankees already have two pitchers in Corey Kluber and James Taillon who have similar durability questions, but who, I feel have (much) high upsides than James Paxton at this point.
If the Yankees are going to jump on another starter, I would prefer it to be more of a sure thing. If the Yankees were going to take a flier on a lefty, I would have preferred them to look at Jon Lester who signed for less than Paxton and should provide more innings in 2021. Prior to 2020, Lester never pitched under 170 innings. HIs pre-rated 2020 stats would have taken him to about 165 innings pitched.
James Paxton gave the Yankees all he had. He still could be a big league winner. I didn’t see that happening in New York.
I wish him only the best in Seattle.
Left-handed James Paxton and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a one-year deal for $8.5 million. Has some reachable bonuses that could take it to $10 million. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 14, 2021
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After spending the last two seasons in New York, James Paxton is coming back to the organization that drafted, developed and traded him to the Yankees after the 2018 season. https://t.co/yyp2lMtTVl — Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) February 14, 2021
