James Paxton, Mariners agree to one-year, $8.5M deal

James Paxton is heading back to the team that drafted him. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Report: James Paxton, Mariners agree to one-year, $8.5 million deal

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 2/14/21

After spending two years with the New York Yankees, James Paxton is returning to the Seattle Mariners.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Mariners and Paxton agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal on Saturday. The contract includes bonuses that could bring its value up to $10 million.

Left-handed James Paxton and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a one-year deal for $8.5 million. Has some reachable bonuses that could take it to $10 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 14, 2021

Paxton went 41-26 with the Mariners from 2013-18, owning a 3.42 ERA, 1.187 WHIP and 617 strikeouts in 582.1 innings. He was traded to the Yankees in November 2018 for a top prospect, left-hander Justus Sheffield, outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams and right-hander Erik Swanson.

In two seasons with the Yankees, Paxton went 16-7 with a 4.16 ERA, 1.304 WHIP and 212 strikeouts in 171 innings.

The 32-year-old will join a rotation that includes Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Flexen and Sheffield.

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