MLB Rumors: James Paxton's Dodgers Contract Guarantee Lowered over Injury Concern

The guarantees on new Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton's one-year contract have dropped from $11 million to $7 million due to an "unspecified health issue," per Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:

"The one-year deal, announced on Monday, still has a maximum potential value of up to $13 million with performance and roster bonuses, according to a copy of the contract details obtained by The Athletic.

"The Dodgers and Paxton's agent, Scott Boras, however, agreed to reduce the total guarantee from the originally reported $11 million to $7 million. The issue, while not serious enough to scuttle the deal, resulted in a reworking of the structure of the contract."

Neither Boras nor the Dodgers spoke on the specifics regarding the health issue, citing HIPAA.

The 35-year-old Paxton made 19 starts with the Boston Red Sox last year, going 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA (1.31 WHIP) and 101 strikeouts in 96.0 innings. He began the year on the injured list with a right hamstring strain and ended it on the IL as well with right knee inflammation.

Paxton was sensational over his first 10 starts in 2023, going 5-1 with a 2.73 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 56 innings. Over his final nine starts, the southpaw went 2-4 with a 6.98 ERA, allowing a .947 OPS to opposing batters along the way.

At his best, Paxton is more than capable of excelling as a top-two starter in a rotation. He largely excelled with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees from 2013-2019, going 56-32 with a 3.50 ERA, 9.9 K/9 rate and 1.21 WHIP.

Unfortunately, injuries have curtailed his career ever since. He was limited to just five starts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season after a strain of his left flexor tendon. Paxton also underwent spinal surgery in February 2020 as well.

One year later, Paxton's 2021 season with the M's lasted just one start after he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery. He missed all of 2022.

Paxton started strong in 2023, marking an excellent comeback after he traversed and persevered through a host of ailments. Hopefully, he's able to enjoy a healthy 2024 season in Dodger blue as he looks to contribute to a team that enters the year as the clear World Series favorites. As of now, Roster Resource projects him as the No. 5 starter in the Dodger rotation.