The Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a significant one-year, $11 million deal with James Paxton, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The agreement includes a $1 million Opening Day roster bonus and the potential for an additional $1 million in incentives, as per Heyman.
Reports from Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic on Monday night suggested that negotiations between Paxton and the Dodgers were approaching the final stages.
Paxton’s addition to the Dodgers’ pitching rotation strengthens a lineup that has already welcomed Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow this offseason. Coupled with Walker Buehler, this revamped rotation positions the team with an impressive array of pitching talent.
It’s worth noting that the Dodgers also secured the services of two-way star Shohei Ohtani. However, Ohtani, a two-time American League MVP, is expected to sit out from pitching in the 2024 season due to elbow surgery undergone in September.
The one-year pact with Paxton presents an opportunity for the pitcher to showcase his skills in the upcoming season. Having spent the last two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Paxton missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery.
Paxton made his 2023 debut on May 12, pitching five innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite a right knee injury in September that prematurely ended his season, he concluded the year with a solid performance, boasting a 4.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 101 strikeouts over 96 innings in 19 starts – his best showing since 2019.
Encouragingly, Paxton’s average fastball velocity in 2023 (95.3 mph) marked a notable increase, being the highest since 2019 (95.5 mph). Baseball Savant data also reveals that Paxton ranked in the 60th percentile or higher in xERA, xBA, and whiff percentage.
With Tommy John surgery now two years in the past, there’s optimism that Paxton will deliver an even stronger performance in 2024. The Dodgers’ strategic signing of Paxton is viewed as a prudent move as they set their sights on a World Series push in the upcoming season, securing a reliable mid-rotation starter in the process.
