James Paxton Is The Subject Of Massive Red Sox Demand
According to a primary league source, the Red Sox have discussed trading left-hander James Paxton, but they want to get a lot of young, controllable guys who can assist the big-league team both now and in the future in exchange for the veteran.
According to a primary league source, the Red Sox have discussed trading left-hander James Paxton, but they want to get a lot of young, controllable guys who can assist the big-league team both now and in the future in exchange for the veteran.
They can. Therefore, they’re asking for a lot. Paxton, who has recovered from several ailments to compile a 6-2 record and 3.34 ERA in 13 starts, is one of the few starting pitchers that may be available, and virtually every contender is in the market for one.
He is striking out more than ten batters per nine innings while throwing a cutter over 95 mph and a fastball that keeps opponents’ averages below 0.145. However, he won’t sign a contract extension before he becomes a free agent in the fall because of his severe injury history and the fact that he is already 34 years old.
With the Red Sox only 2.5 games out of a wild card berth and wanting to add, Paxton is the ideal rental. However, even if it makes sense for the organization’s long-term health, it will be difficult to convince the clubhouse to remove Paxton from an already bare rotation.
A buy-low investment in James Paxton might result in a substantial return. While he was recovering from Tommy John surgery, the Red Sox signed the left-hander to a one-year, $10 million contract in December 2021. He didn’t pitch for the team last year, but he returned on a $4 million player option and has far exceeded expectations by striking out more than 28 per cent of the hitters he has faced.
Though he pitched a valiant five innings on Saturday in San Francisco, limiting the Giants to one run despite giving up eight hits and two walks, he has yet to seem as dominant in previous appearances.
The team’s request is noteworthy because of what it reveals about Chaim Bloom’s reconstruction. The fact that Bloom is looking for instant contributions for Paxton marks a change in strategy from nearly all of his transactions with veterans up to this point, which was for prospects.
Bloom wants to ensure that no transaction involving the current big-league squad leaves the team unable to compete down the stretch, given the team’s position in the wild card rankings, directly behind Houston and Toronto.
He must be destroyed if he deals with someone as precious as Paxton.
