One of the few goals the New York Yankees had this off-season was to add more depth to their starting rotation, and on the top of their priority list was James Paxton. Well, the Bronx Bombers made that happen on Monday, acquiring the starter from the Seattle Mariners for three prospects. Included in the group of prospects is top-rated left-handed pitcher Justus Sheffield, along with outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams and right-handed pitcher Erik Swanson. The deal was announced Monday afternoon, as the Yankees look to fix why they were an ALDS exit, despite all of the All-Star power on their roster.
Paxton started 28 games last season and went 11-6 with a 3.76 ERA.. He ranked ninth in the American League with 208 strikeouts, as the 30-year-old also recorded a no-hitter on May 8th against Yankees American League East rival, Toronto Blue Jays. He now joins the likes of Luis Severino, C.C. Sabathia, and Masahiro Tanaka in an otherwise slim rotation.
The rumors are that the Yankees are not yet done, wanting to add at least one more starter to the pitching staff. A bullpen addition, along with a shortstop replacement are also needed, as Didi Gregorius could miss some time following elbow surgery. As for the bullpen, well, the Yankees seem to just never have enough arms back there.
Paxton made $4.9 million a season ago and is eligible for salary arbitration this year. The left-hander will be a free agent after the 2020 season, giving him possibly two years in pinstripes. In six major league seasons, Paxton is 41-26, but has dealt with numerous injuries. That has led to him landing on the disabled list six times in the past five years for injuries such as a bruised elbow, a strained middle finger, a strained forearm, lower back inflammation, and a strained pectoral muscle. New York has dealt with a beat up pitching staff themselves, but will hope that Paxton can find better luck with a new team.
Paxton started 28 games last season and went 11-6 with a 3.76 ERA.. He ranked ninth in the American League with 208 strikeouts, as the 30-year-old also recorded a no-hitter on May 8th against Yankees American League East rival, Toronto Blue Jays. He now joins the likes of Luis Severino, C.C. Sabathia, and Masahiro Tanaka in an otherwise slim rotation.
The rumors are that the Yankees are not yet done, wanting to add at least one more starter to the pitching staff. A bullpen addition, along with a shortstop replacement are also needed, as Didi Gregorius could miss some time following elbow surgery. As for the bullpen, well, the Yankees seem to just never have enough arms back there.
Paxton made $4.9 million a season ago and is eligible for salary arbitration this year. The left-hander will be a free agent after the 2020 season, giving him possibly two years in pinstripes. In six major league seasons, Paxton is 41-26, but has dealt with numerous injuries. That has led to him landing on the disabled list six times in the past five years for injuries such as a bruised elbow, a strained middle finger, a strained forearm, lower back inflammation, and a strained pectoral muscle. New York has dealt with a beat up pitching staff themselves, but will hope that Paxton can find better luck with a new team.
