The Red Sox’ pre-trade deadline search for starting pitching is taking them to a familiar place.
As reported by The Boston Globe and WEEI, the Sox have reached out to the Dodgers with trade interest in left-hander James Paxton, who Los Angeles surprisingly designated for assignment Monday, one day after he struck out seven Red Sox in a 9-6 Dodgers win. Los Angeles has until Monday to trade Paxton, who is drawing interest from multiple teams looking for rotation help ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
The fit is obvious for the Red Sox, who could upgrade their fifth starter spot behind the all-righty quartet of Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello and Nick Pivetta despite a very solid outing from Cooper Criswell on Tuesday night in Denver. Paxton would provide a different look as a left-hander and comes with obvious familiarity after spending the last two years in Boston before signing with the Dodgers over the winter. On Monday, members of the Red Sox were shocked that Paxton had become available after turning loose a solid performance Sunday night; he allowed three runs on four hits in five innings as the Dodgers finished off a sweep of Boston.
After signing a one-year deal with Los Angeles in late January, Paxton made 18 starts for the club to start the year (taking every turn) and logged a 4.43 ERA (and 4.97 FIP) while striking out 64 batters in 89 ⅓ innings. He has posted a high walk rate of 4.8 BB/9 and issued four walks in each of his last two starts, which is some cause for concern. With Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler both due back from the injured list this week, the Dodgers clearly prioritized other rotation options over Paxton.
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Paxton spent two years with the Red Sox before joining Los Angeles, missing all of 2023 before exercising a player option and returning for an injury-riddled 2024 season. He was only healthy from May 12-Sept. 1 and logged 19 starts in a Red Sox uniform, posting a 4.50 ERA in 96 innings. He was the American League Pitcher of the Month in June after pitching to a 3-0 record and 1.74 ERA in five starts, then seemed to hit a wall, struggling to a 6.98 ERA in nine second-half starts before knee issues prematurely ended his season.
“He pitched for us. Obviously, it’s a small window. A great guy,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Put himself in a situation to post. Toward the end, that didn’t happen. But a great guy in the clubhouse.”
Paxton’s contract, which was revised after a physical exam revealed some concerns, included a series of bonuses and incentives that allowed it to max out at $13 million (a figure he has already reached) despite including a base salary of $4 million. Any team acquiring Paxton would only be on the hook for the remainder of that $4 million base salary, which equals about $1.5 million for the rest of the year.
