Around 5:45 last night my friend Marv announced “the Yankees just traded for a pitcher!”
It wasn’t just any old pitcher. The Bronx Bombers pulled off a blockbuster, to acquire one of the best left handed starters in the game… (when healthy)
James Paxton.
Trade: The Yankees have acquired LHP James Paxton from Seattle in exchange for LHP Justus Sheffield, RHP Erik Swanson and OF Dom Thompson-Williams.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) November 19, 2018
I like Justice Sheffield and I believed he had a good future in pinstripes. However…
I love this move! I think Paxton is the real deal, both with his stuff and his mentality.
Big Maple in the Big Apple. Welcome, @James_Paxton! pic.twitter.com/IlOtWehD03
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 19, 2018
Paxton is a 6’4, 235 pound lefty with legit “stuff.” He has started 102 games in his big league career, with a record of 41-26. The 24 year old has a career ERA of 3.42. He has punched out batters 617 times while only surrendering 168 walks and giving up 54 home runs.
The lefty has spent his whole career with the Seattle Mariners, making is debut in 2013. He has won double digit games in the last two season (12 in 2017.)
This past season, Paxton started 28 games and went 11-6 with a 3.67 ERA. He pitched his first 2 career complete games, including 1 shutout, and a couple stints on the DL.
Paxton now comes to the Bronx and will be a big piece of the rotation, for this team with World Series aspirations. The Yankees already re-signed CC Sabathia as well this offseason. He will be joining the likes of Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanka in the rotation.
However, are the Yankees done adding pitchers…?
Source: #Yankees remain interested in free agents Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ, following the James Paxton deal. Yankees are placing a higher priority on adding one more starting pitcher than signing Manny Machado or Bryce Harper. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 19, 2018
As a Yankee fan I am very excited about this move and what else is in store for the Bombers this offseason.
(Trade away Sonny Gray please and thank you.)
Welcome to the Bronx Big Maple!
-Kmess “That Guy”