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James Paxton is back with the Mariners after two seasons with the Yankees. (Getty)
With the Mariners signing manager James Paxton, GM Jerry Dipoto can almost shut the door this offseason.
Mariners Notebook: Servais calls Paxton return a ‘good fit’
The official announcement of Seattle’s addition of Ken Giles is the only point of activity still pending as the Mariners begin spring training, and a better picture of the offseason of Dipoto – who on the surface had the deceptively calm – became clear as he discussed Paxton’s signing with the media on Thursday afternoon.
Dipoto has been clear in his off-season goals from day one.
He wanted to add more arms to the enclosure. Check. He wanted to add a starter, and did so with the signing of Chris Flexen. After that, he said he wouldn’t mind adding another one if things were going well or, in the end, not working very well. Miss this picture? Dipoto’s goal to add a left-handed bat.
“We have been exhaustive in finding the right addition to our line. We have simply failed at every turn, ”he admitted. “We had a set of goals, which we all thought were the best, and we tried to get them. In all of these cases, we offered multi-year contracts that seemed to match what we were trying to do not only for 2021 but also for 2022 and potentially beyond. “
Dipoto was looking for a free left-handed hitter to help balance the lineup. Ideally, this player could play left field or second base. There were two that the Mariners particularly excited about and a third that would have worked. The team were linked to Kolten Wong and Tommy La Stella among others this winter, but they signed elsewhere. In the end, that might not be a bad thing.
“We were aggressive in this market; we just didn’t manage to bring in the offensive piece we were looking to add, ”said Dipoto. “Once we realized the best solutions for us were off the board, we looked at the biggest impact we can have.”
While they kept in touch with Paxton and his portrayal throughout the offseason, they weren’t the only ones. A strong paddock session launched in November kept the teams interested, keeping Paxton in the Dare to Dream category for the Mariners.
“We didn’t really think we were going to be able to score a higher impact type starting pitcher,” said Dipoto. “James threw the ball so well in November. I guess they saw the same as us.
There was of course the familiarity, a factor that pushed each party closer to a chord.
“Coming back to Seattle has been the best long term decision for me as I look to the future in my career and what I want to do,” said Paxton. “I want to pull myself together this year. Really struggled to come back from back surgery (in 2020). I’m comfortable here in Seattle, love the band here and thrilled to be a part of it.
While the fit on a young team seems to be a bit wrong, Dipoto believes Paxton can benefit the Mariners in more than one way.
“Adding James to the pitch we have internally gives us a great opportunity to continue to develop our young players while competing to the best of our ability,” he said.
Returning to Seattle two more years older and with a very different experience having played on the biggest baseball scene in New York City, Paxton is also ready to take on a leadership role.
“Going into the playoffs has been fantastic, a great experience for me and something I can share with the guys here,” he said. “Just this pressure, an extra pressure that you have in New York, to have this experience, to be able to talk to guys here and tell them what I learned from that experience, I think it will be very beneficial for us in as a group. “
While Dipoto couldn’t land what he wanted in a left-handed stick, he did add a left-hander who could have a substantial impact on Paxton. The rotation is about to be adjusted and the range will shake itself off on its own, and it will do so with familiar faces as the off-season door is almost closed.
Almost.
“We’re going to follow what we have internally (for the left-handed stick) and stay open to any other opportunities that arise with the pitching staff,” said Dipoto. “This is an area where as much depth as you can compile, the better. Keep stacking it. We need all the launches, like all the other clubs.
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