Former Seattle Mariners Pitcher Had Fans Excited on Monday, Could a Reunion Be Coming?

Popular Mariners "X" user @MarinerMuse said "Oh really" with the curious eyeball emojis. One user said Paxton coming back to Seattle would be a great start to 2024.

Paxton, who hails from nearby British Columbia, came up with the Mariners and pitched for them from 2013-2018 before being dealt to the New York Yankees. He also came back to Seattle for one start in 2021 but ended up injuring himself in that start and needing Tommy John surgery.

Injuries have unfortunately been part of the story for Paxton in his career. He's never made 30 starts in a season and made just six appearances between 2020 and 2022. He rebounded to make 19 starts for Boston a season ago.

If Seattle were to bring him back, it would be curious to see how they'd use him. They presumably have five starters already with Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo and Bryce Willer. They also have Robbie Ray coming back from injury sometime during 2024.

Would signing Paxton represent depth for a rotation that has young pitchers in it who have never handled a full season of work? Or would signing him open the door to a possible trade of one of the previously mentioned arms?