Paxton 'opted in.' It's working out for Sox

This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Red Sox were prepared to say goodbye to James Paxton last November when they understandably declined a dual club option that would have paid the lefty $13 million per season in 2023 and ‘24.

The oft-injured Paxton didn’t throw a pitch last season with Boston while earning $6 million as he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery and dealt with some other health setbacks along the way.

But a couple of days after the Red Sox declined the dual club option on the veteran lefty, Paxton exercised his modest $4 million player option.

Considering the results Paxton has had in his first two starts this season (1-0, 2.45 ERA, three walks, 14 strikeouts), that was a fortuitous development for Boston.

So who were the catalysts for Paxton returning to Boston on the affordable option? Members of the team’s training staff.

“For me, I was just trying to get my feet back under me again in the big leagues. These guys knew me really well, rehabbing me all year last year and they did a fantastic job of that,” Paxton said. “I felt comfortable with this group. I just felt like it was the right group to get me back on my feet in the big leagues.”

And in a stand-up move, Paxton felt the Red Sox deserved some innings from him this season after letting them down in 2022.

“There’s also that piece where I felt like I owed it to the team to pitch here,” said Paxton.

Agent Scott Boras supported Paxton’s decision to give it another whirl with Boston, even though he might have been able to earn a bigger contract as a free agent.

“It wasn't the longest conversation we ever had,” said Paxton. “It was just, ‘Look, you haven’t pitched in a couple of years, now you feel comfortable there. This is about getting you back on the mound again, and getting you to feel good.’ I just felt like this was the right place and he agreed.”

It is only two starts, but Paxton’s performance has been eye-opening. He topped out at 98 mph in each of those outings.

“If this is what we’re going to get every five days, I’m in,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “He’s put in a lot of hard work. There have been ups and downs. I bet he has been frustrated through the process about what is going to happen next.”

When Paxton earned the win on Friday night against the Padres, it was his first in the Major Leagues since Aug. 15, 2020.

“For him to come here and contribute and get that ‘W’ is big for the organization,” said Cora. “The people in Fort Myers. All the trainers. The strength coaches. Everybody has been with him through the same process. He opted in. Nobody thought that was going to happen. He decided to stay here because he trusted the process. He trusted the people here and they got rewarded.”

Paxton’s next start is set for Wednesday night in Anaheim.