Dodgers, James Paxton Restructure Contract Due to Health Concern
The Los Angeles Dodgers have restructured left-handed pitcher James Paxton‘s contract due to an unspecified health issue.
On Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Paxton’s guaranteed contract was reduced from $11 million to $7 million. The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya reported the issue was not significant enough to cancel the deal, rather just rework it.
The full breakdown for Paxton’s deal, as reported by Rosenthal, is as follows:
- $4 million salary
- $3 million signing bonus
- $600K incentive for six, eight, 10, 12 and 16 starts
- $1 million incentive for 18 starts
- $2 million incentive if he’s on the 26-man active roster for either the Korea Series or the domestic home opener
- $1 million incentive if he’s not on the Opening Day roster, but makes the active roster on or before April 15
The total value of the contract could still get up to $13 million, but the Dodgers are putting more contingencies in place in case Paxton is unable to make a ton of starts this season.
Paxton made 19 starts in 2023 for the Boston Red Sox after missing the entire 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery — the second of his career — and a lat tear.
He factors in as the No. 5 starter for the Dodgers in a righty-heavy rotation. He’s now on a much more team-friendly deal.
Photo Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
