Recently, well, this morning, I was concerned that the Mariners had just made important moves or that nothing they did in this off-season would help the 2021 team get closer to respectability.
On this snowy Saturday, however, those fears quickly subsided with a few tweets:
Left-handed James Paxton and the Seattle Mariners agree on a one-year contract for $ 8.5 million. It has some reachable bonuses that can reach $ 10 million.
– Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 14, 2021
James Paxton, of course, was written by the Mariners in 2010. (If you’re reading this, I probably don’t need to tell you this, but allow me – this is the most exciting thing we’ve written (months). He was part of the famous Big Three of the Mariners and stood out in six seasons with the M’s.
His most famous moment, of course, was his non-hitter in Toronto in May 2018. He hasn’t reached similar levels since, with a solid 2019 campaign for the Yankees (3.5 fWAR, 3.86 FIP) before only four departures in 2020 and arriving at the free agency with no qualified offer.
Considering the injuries Big Maple faced last season – I’m not sure about you, but I don’t like the words “spine surgery” being considered – and rumors that your speed has dropped in off-season training, there is obviously concern for your health and long-term capacity. So it was likely that it was in the interests of both parties to agree to a one-year deal: Paxton could reach the free agency again in the winter of 2021 with a big season on his resume, while the Mariners are relatively isolated from the long run. risk.
Paxton also thinks about adding a veteran presence to a relatively inexperienced Seattle rotation, and if he succeeds, there is every reason to imagine that the Mariners would bring him back in 2022 and beyond. His business compares favorably to that of Jake Arrieta, an ace who has struggled with injuries and, well, hasn’t been very good in recent years. Arrieta returned to the Cubs earlier today with a guaranteed $ 6 million, while Paxton managed to steal $ 8.5 million.
That said, it’s great to have the Big Maple back in teal and blue, and it looks like a great way to make the 2021 floor of the Mariners taller and at the same time bring back one of the fan favorites. If Pax fights, it is not the skin of the Mariners’ nose, since they should already be among the lowest payrolls in the MLB. But if he stands out, then they secured the advantage to strengthen the team, since Jerry Dipoto plans to fight in 2022 and beyond.
I would also be remiss if I did not mention that it means the return of the Maple grove. Maybe we can figure out how to celebrate Paxton’s start, even if no fans are allowed in the stadium, or maybe we can all agree to eat on-board bars every six days. Paxton formed a special bond with all Mariners fans during his six-season season in Seattle, but especially with Grove, whom he welcomed with open arms … and, yes, maple bars.
No matter what, I can’t wait to cheer for my favorite Canadian in 2021, and I can’t wait to hear Stick Rizzs singing “eh, eh, eh” again this year. Welcome back, Pax. Welcome back.