Oh boy, the Los Angeles Dodgers are making headlines again. This time, it’s because James Paxton, a lefty with a cannon for an arm, has decided to join the squad. But here’s the kicker: the deal’s been tweaked a bit.
Originally, Paxton and the Dodgers shook hands on a cool $11 million for a year. Not too shabby, right? Well, hold your horses. Due to some health concerns that are a bit hush-hush, they’ve had to do a bit of a rewrite on that contract. Now, we’re looking at a $7 million guarantee. But hey, if Paxton plays his cards right, with bonuses and all, he could rake in up to $13 million. Not too shabby after all, eh?
Here’s the Deal with Paxton
Paxton, who’s 35, hasn’t exactly had the smoothest ride in the MLB. Injuries have been a real pain, literally. We’re talking two surgeries, including the dreaded Tommy John. Because of this, he’s missed a ton of games. Making 30 starts in a season? Hasn’t happened. He’s only crossed the 25-start threshold twice.
Last season was kind of a comeback year for him after Tommy John surgery. He hopped onto the Red Sox’s rotation in May and did his thing in 19 starts. His record? 7-5, with a 4.50 ERA. Not his best, not his worst. But those home run and walk numbers? Yikes. And his strikeouts took a bit of a dive.
What’s Next for Paxton?
But here’s the thing: 2024 could be a big year for Paxton. Sure, he’s not the young gun he once was, but there’s hope. Remember 2019 with the Yankees? That was a good year for him. So, slotting him as a fourth or fifth starter? That could work out pretty well for the Dodgers.
Speaking of the Dodgers, their rotation is looking pretty spicy. They’ve got Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler (also bouncing back from Tommy John), and Tyler Glasnow. Paxton’s in good company, with Bobby Miller rounding out the crew.
Dodgers’ Star-Studded Offseason
And let’s not forget the other big moves the Dodgers have made. Shohei Ohtani, anyone? Plus, Yamamoto, Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernández. With all these additions, it’s no wonder they’re the talk of the town when it comes to World Series predictions for 2024.
So, there you have it. Paxton’s gearing up for a potentially big year with the Dodgers, health permitting. And with the team they’re assembling, it’s gonna be an exciting season. Fingers crossed, and let’s play ball!
