Dodgers add ex-Mariners ace to starting rotation
Aug 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed yet another pitcher amid their busy offseason.
In addition to adding Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow this offseason, the Dodgers have now signed another pitcher. They have added Canadian pitcher James Paxton on a 1-year, $11 million deal. According to Jon Heyman, Paxton can earn an additional $2 million in bonuses.
James Paxton and Dodgers now in agreement. $11M plus $1M Opening Day roster bonus plus $1M incentives.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 23, 2024
The 35-year-old southpaw spent last season with the Red Sox. He went 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA and had 101 strikeouts in 96 innings. Paxton missed all of the 2022 season and nearly the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery.
The oft-injured pitcher was at his best from 2016-2019. Paxton pitched at least 126 innings in each of those four seasons. He went 44-24 with a 3.60 ERA and 10.6 strikeouts per 9 innings during that four-year span. He was with the Mariners from 2013-2018 and spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Yankees.
The 2024 season will mark the first time Paxton has played for a National League team.
The Dodgers lost pitchers Lance Lynn, Shelby Miller and Ryan Pepiot this offseason, while Julio Urias and Clayton Kershaw are free agents. They are attempting to fill the holes with Yamamoto, Glasnow and Paxton.
