Life in the MLB can get wacky, and left-handed hurler James Paxton recently experienced that in full force. A few days after being sent down to the minors by the Los Angeles Dodgers, “Big Maple” returns to the Boston Red Sox.
The two teams completed the trade on Friday, via ESPN's Jeff Passan.
“The Boston Red Sox are acquiring left-hander James Paxton in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources tell ESPN. Done deal,” Passan tweeted. “Paxton, 35, will return to Boston, where he spent the 2023 season, after being DFA’d by the Dodgers. In 89.1 innings this season, he has a 4.43 ERA.”
Los Angeles will receive 17-year-old minor-league infielder Moises Bolivar, via The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey.
“The Red Sox make it official: Boston acquired LHP James Paxton from the Los Angeles Dodgers, in exchange for minor league INF Moises Bolivar,” McCaffrey reported. “To make room for Paxton on the 40-man roster, Boston transferred RHP Bryan Mata to the 60-Day IL.”
Bolivar has slashed .270/.364/.423 with three homers and 19 RBI in 31 games for the Red Sox' rookie affiliate this year.
Will Paxton give Boston extra juice to its pitching staff?
James Paxton must revert to his pre-COVID form to help the Red Sox
Coincidentally, Paxton's last start was against Boston on Sunday, earning the win after giving up three runs in five innings, with seven strikeouts and four walks. The native Canadian has an 8-2 record this season but leads the NL with 48 walks allowed. Additionally, he has just 64 strikeouts, giving him an unimpressive 1.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Paxton hasn't been the same since the pandemic started in 2020. From 2013-19, the former New York Yankee posted sub-4.00 ERAs each season but has failed to get under a 4.40 mark since then. This includes his one-year stint in Boston last year when he went 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.313 WHIP.
To give the Red Sox a lift as the stretch run approaches, Paxton will have to outperform their weaker starting pitchers. Right-hander Brayan Bello has struggled the most, posting a 5.27 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 18 starts. Fellow righty Nick Pivetta also has a 4.50 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 16 starts.
If Paxton becomes a reliable piece of the rotation, Boston will be one step closer to making the playoffs. The team is currently one game behind the Kansas City Royals for the third and final Wild Card spot.
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