After two years with the Yankees, James Paxton returns to the Mariners for 2021. (Getty)
So Jerry Dipoto was not done. While the announcement will only take place next week, as the deal is not yet available, the Mariners and James Paxton are a one-year deal with a $ 8.5 million base and bonuses that can take up to $ 10 million . After two years with the Yankees, the Big Maple is back.
Sailors reunite with left-handed pitcher James Paxton for one-year deal
Better late than never. Paxton has been on the Mariners’ 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 of almost every team in MLB. Among the group: Jerry Dipoto, assistant general manager Justin Hollander and manager Scott Servais. The session went well and reached its goal with a number of teams showing interest.
Because the Mariners did not know what their chances were of landing the left-handers, they kept in regular contact with Paxton’s agent Scott Boras after the throwing session with the agreement that had come together over the past few days.
With the Yankees, Paxton hit well when he was healthy. In 2019, he set an ERA of 3.82, while hitting 15-6 with 186 strikeouts in 150 2/3 overs. However, 2020 began with the surprising news in early February that he would miss three to four months after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated lumbar disc. Paxton started just five times after returning in July before being sidelined with a flexion strain in his left elbow. By all accounts, the injuries are behind him, with positive reports coming out of the throwing session at ATI.
It is noteworthy that Paxton has worked at ATI since 2017. Familiarity with the organization and the environment played a role in the signing of a one-year agreement, which is essentially a “prove it” contract. If he can play well, Paxton could benefit the Mariners in an effort to run the post-season, or, like his former teammate Taijuan Walker, last year, be traded to a competitor by the deadline.
(For now) Paxton is now returning to the Mariners to take part in a rotation that includes one of the players he was traded for, Justus Sheffield, as well as Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi and Chris Flexen.
While the Mariners are going with a six-man rotation, one spot remains open and suddenly an interesting position battle has developed with two players ending the season in the rotation, Justin Dunn and Nick Margevicius, who are battling it out with Logan Gilbert , which Dipoto said would get the chance to compete for a spot in the spring training. This is a very different picture than a year ago when the young players had the opportunity to wet their feet. This year they will have to earn it.
Paxton becomes the fourth free agent to be signed by the Mariners this season by Chris Flexen, Keynan Middleton, Kendall Graveman and Ken Giles.
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