Free-agent left-hander James Paxton recently held a showcase with “as many as 20 teams” in attendance, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Paxton’s fastball reached 94 mph during the session, Morosi adds.
The 32-year-old Paxton is coming off a difficult season as a member of the Yankees, with whom he totaled just five starts and pitched to a 6.64 ERA/4.37 FIP over 20 1/3 innings. Paxton did post appealing strikeout and walk numbers (11.51 K/9 against 3.1 BB/9), though a fastball that has averaged upward of 95 mph throughout his career clocked in at a disappointing 92.1 in 2020. Paxton, who has dealt with several injuries in the majors, underwent back surgery last February and didn’t pitch beyond Aug. 20 because of a flexor strain. Fortunately, Paxton avoided surgery on his arm, and agent Scott Boras issued encouraging updates on his health in recent weeks.
If Paxton to 100 percent, it’s easy to see why teams would have interest in him on what’s likely to be a fairly affordable short-term contract. Also a former Mariner, Paxton logged quality numbers from 2013-19 before enduring struggles last season. To this point, Paxton has put up an impressive 3.58 ERA/3.31 FIP with 9.9 K/9 and 2.75 BB/9 across 753 1/3 innings and 136 appearances (all starts).