Red Sox considering reunion with one of their starters; interest is mutual
So far this winter, James Paxton has been something of a forgotten man when it comes to the Red Sox’ search for starting pitching help. While Boston has been consistently linked to bigger names like Yoshinobu Yamamoto (before he signed with the Dodgers), Jordan Montgomery, Shōta Imanaga and even Blake Snell, there has been little talk about a reunion between the Sox and Paxton, who was their best starter for a long stretch last season.]
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Now, though, it seems like a deal is in play. Late last week, WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported that Boston has “strong interest” in bringing Paxton back. A source confirmed Monday that there has been consistent communication between the Red Sox and Paxton but nothing is imminent at this time. The Sox did increase their aggressiveness on other free agents once losing out on Yamamoto, according to sources, and the next week is expected to be a busy one for free agent starters. Veterans like Paxton, Giolito, Marcus Stroman and high-end free agents like Montgomery and Snell could all come off the board soon now that Yamamoto, the top free agent option, has a new home. Other available options include Mike Clevinger, Sean Manaea, Michael Lorenzen, Hyun Jin Ryu and Frankie Montas.
Paxton is a second-tier free agent arm behind some younger pitchers who will sign longer-term deals but will intrigue teams after showing flashes of dominance during his return to action in 2023. Now 35, the oft-injured lefty will likely have to sign a short-term deal (1-2 years) with a club banking on his upside. Interested clubs will certainly hope the first part of Paxton’s 2023 season is more predictive than the second half, when he tailed off, at least in part because of a nagging knee injury that ended his season a couple weeks early.
After overcoming multiple setbacks in his return from Tommy John surgery and making his season debut on May 12, Paxton was dominant in his first 10 starts, posting a 2.73 ERA and striking out 64 batters over 56 innings. Manager Alex Cora boldly proclaimed that Paxton was one of the best pitchers in the big leagues during that time — a number backed up by Paxton winning AL Pitcher of the Month honors in June. The second half of Paxton’s campaign was not nearly as sharp.
