The Mariners have traded James Paxton to the New York Yankees.
Yes, their 30-year-old ace, the lefty from Ladner, British Columbia, is now a Yankee — a transition so many Mariners have made before him.
The Mariners announced the move Monday afternoon after initial reports, saying they acquired the Yankees’ top prospect, left-hander Justus Sheffield, as well as right-hander Erik Swanson and outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams.
But why trade Paxton?
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“We opted to take a step back in the short term,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said on 710-ESPN, “to take two steps forward without having to wait through a long rebuiild.