Mariners to sign James Paxton

[Petert]

I’m pleased that the needle has somewhat flickered over into the right direction regarding strengthening the rotation, although I share SH’s caution about the drop in average fastball velocity.

That $750K bump for reaching 10 starts, though. Oy.

I’m still wondering if there will be an OF add, or if Jerry’s done.

[D-train]

Here's what RosterResource lists as the starting 6. Lotta lefties!

Marco Gonzales L 29.0
James Paxton L 32.3
Yusei Kikuchi L 29.7
Justus Sheffield L 24.8
Chris Flexen R 26.6
Justin Dunn R 25.4

JamesP_NoNo.jpg

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resour ... s/mariners

I think Dunn is the odd man out. At this point I'll take Margevicius over Justin.

I agree. All you have to do is look at the FIPs here. Just replace Dunn with Flexen for your RHP.

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx? ... =&enddate=

[D-train]

I’m pleased that the needle has somewhat flickered over into the right direction regarding strengthening the rotation, although I share SH’s caution about the drop in average fastball velocity.

The $750K bump for reaching 10 starts, though. Oy.

I’m still wondering if there will be an OF add, or if Jerry’s done.

Starting to think they are considering starting the season with JK and if not they are just going to wing it with Haggerty, Long and Marm until he gets here but there is still a week before position players report so who knows.

[harmony]

From the article..

Many of Paxton’s underlying metrics, however, were far more bullish. He registered a 4.37 FIP/3.88 SIERA, typically-strong 28.9 percent strikeout rate and roughly-league-average 7.8 percent walk rate. He even put up a career-high in average fastball velocity at 90.7 mph.

Huh? Wasn't his fastball in the upper 90's when he was with the Mariners previously?

Someone confused James Paxton's 2020 exit velocity (90.7 mph) with his 2020 fastball velocity (92.1 mph):

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/james ... atted-ball

[Coeurd’Alene J]

You have to hand it to Trader Jerry....Adding even a glass arm like Big Maple changes the AL West race and at least gives us a fighting chance to compete........Add an outfielder and we are in the mix. Big Maple normally would add several thousand more butts in the seats if The border to the north was open.

[Petert]

From the article..

Many of Paxton’s underlying metrics, however, were far more bullish. He registered a 4.37 FIP/3.88 SIERA, typically-strong 28.9 percent strikeout rate and roughly-league-average 7.8 percent walk rate. He even put up a career-high in average fastball velocity at 90.7 mph.

Huh? Wasn't his fastball in the upper 90's when he was with the Mariners previously?

Someone confused James Paxton's 2020 exit velocity (90.7 mph) with his 2020 fastball velocity (92.1 mph):

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/james ... atted-ball

Ah. Thanks for the clarification !

[D-train]

His fastball was down 2.9 mph last season vs. 2019 from 95.7 to 92.8 mph but likely due to the injury.

[Coeurd’Alene J]

I like it, IF he's healthy. If they could bring back Walker along with Pax, all of a sudden we have legitimate potential for a pretty damn good rotation.

I would give the chance of going after walker at about negative -20%. Walker unlike Paxton is in a far stronger position to demand 3 maybe 4 yrs and he should get it. Jerry needed a trade to counter all the negative vibes and he found it with Big Glass...one yr tradeable at the deadline fills the short need until help is ready....

[D-train]

Yep, the rotation is set and we all would have preferred Walker but Pax is far better than nothing.

[Coeurd’Alene J]

Yep, the rotation is set and we all would have preferred Walker but Pax is far better than nothing.

I really like the signing....

Jerry is the biggest gambler in the mlb....would love to go to the casino with him and sit back and watch the show