SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 29: Starter James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field on September 29, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
The Seattle Mariners have brought back the fan-favorite lefty James Paxton. The Big Maple has been signed for a reported $8.5 million with incentives of $750,000 for making 10 starts and another $750,000 for making 20 starts.
The signing of Paxton obviously helps the rotation and satisfies a need that the Mariners had for a top half of the rotation starter.