How does Big Maple fit into the Dodgers' mix?

This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.

LOS ANGELES — Coming into the offseason, the Dodgers’ largest want was to improve a beginning rotation that struggled mightily within the Nationwide League Division Collection in opposition to the D-backs. 

After touchdown Yamamoto and Glasnow — who would be the prime two starters within the rotation — most individuals believed the Dodgers have been performed upgrading in that space. However that was by no means the case.

Los Angeles continued to pursue choices through commerce and free company. It’s no completely different than most years, when the Dodgers test in on a wide range of gamers. This winter, Shane Bieber, Dylan Stop, Corbin Burnes and Jesús Luzardo have been among the many arms they appeared into through commerce. Given how sluggish the commerce market has been, Los Angeles started to discover free-agent arms. 

The membership was in search of a back-end rotation sort who might present some depth and upside. The Dodgers have had blended outcomes on one-year offers. There was the immense success of Tyler Anderson, however there was additionally the Noah Syndergaard catastrophe final season.

This time round, Los Angeles was in a significantly better place to take a flier on a veteran pitcher. Ultimately, the membership landed on left-hander James Paxton, who agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal.

Paxton has had numerous success, going 64-38 with a 3.69 ERA over 156 begins in his large league profession. When wholesome, the Canadian is as dependable because it comes. The difficulty for Paxton not too long ago, nevertheless, has been staying on the sphere. 

Paxton missed the whole 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure. He hoped to return within the second half of that season, however he sustained a Grade 2 lat pressure that ended his marketing campaign earlier than it bought going. In ’23 with the Crimson Sox, Paxton made 19 begins and posted a 4.50 ERA. 

With the Dodgers, Paxton offers essential depth. Yamamoto is making a large transition to the Majors and has by no means been a part of a five-man rotation. Glasnow has been injury-prone all through his profession and has by no means logged numerous innings. Then there’s Walker Buehler, who will greater than doubtless not begin the season with Los Angeles as he continues to get wholesome.

Paxton will slot into the rotation with Yamamoto, Glasnow and Bobby Miller. Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone and Ryan Yarbrough will even compete for begins this spring. The Paxton transfer additionally doesn’t rule out the potential for the Dodgers reuniting with Clayton Kershaw. The doubtless future Corridor of Famer gained’t be able to pitch till at the least August, and he nonetheless has a choice to make in free company. 

Because the outdated adage goes, you possibly can by no means have an excessive amount of beginning pitching, and that’s why the Dodgers went out and signed Paxton to a one-year deal.