Blue Jays miss out on James Paxton, release Shun Yamaguchi

The Toronto Blue Jays missed an opportunity to bolster their rotation as Canadian hurler James Paxton inked a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners. Paxton lands back in Seattle for $8.5 million, however, the deal could approach $10 million if the hurler maxes out on his incentives.

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network is reporting that the New York Mets were the runner-ups in the Paxton sweepstakes and will now focus their attention to Taijuan Walker or Jake Odorizzi. This could be problematic for the Blue Jays as the free agent pitching crop begins to dwindle.

It was reported earlier this week that Toronto has kept in constant contact with Walker throughout the offseason although the term of the deal appeared to be a sticking point. The Blue Jays need to make a commitment to Walker and make it now, they can ill afford to lose out to the Mets in their pursuit of the big right-hander.

It was speculated that Paxton was seeking a Corey Kluber type deal in the neighborhood of $11 million so the Mariners did well reacquainting themselves with Paxton for a few million less. Paxton was drafted by Seattle in 2010 and spent the first six years of his career with the Mariners.

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