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Veteran left-hander James Paxton (35), who agreed to a one-year contract with the LA Dodgers, expressed strong confidence.
Paxton met with reporters after completing spring camp training at Camelback Ranch Glendale, the club's training facility in Glendale, Arizona, on the 11th (Korean time) and said, "I'm in great shape right now. “We will be ready from the first game,” he said, pledging to have a normal season.
Paxton has been in rehabilitation for two years after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2021.
In the 2023 season, after signing with the Boston Red Sox, he played 96 innings in 19 games, leaving a record of 7 wins, 5 losses, and an average ERA of 4.50.
“Last season was very important,” he said. “He needed to pitch healthily and play innings, and he gained confidence by doing that,” he said, adding that he gained confidence through his performance last year.
Regarding the ups and downs, such as being selected as pitcher of the month in June with 3 wins, undefeated, and an ERA of 1.74, and then sluggish with an ERA of 7.62 in 6 games since August, he said, “I felt a little tired in the second half of the year. He analyzed the reason, saying, “He lost strength and could not throw as planned.”
The free agent market required some patience. “Discussions began with the Dodgers early in the offseason. “Then it was quiet for a while, but the conversation came up again around the end of January, and we were able to resume discussions and reach a contract,” he said about the negotiation process.
The contract was originally known to be worth $11 million per year, but was later readjusted to include a signing bonus of $3 million, an annual salary of $4 million, and up to $6 million in incentives depending on the number of starts and days on the roster. The contract details have changed. He explained the situation by saying, “The club had some concerns about the fact that his knee was a little bad last year and he returned after Tommy John surgery.”
He, who once played as the Seattle Mariners' ace, said, “I am an older player now. Not perfect. “My body is the same,” he said, admitting that it is not what it used to be, but “I feel very good now. “There will be no problems preparing for the season,” he said, expressing his strong confidence.
The Dodgers will start the season at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 20th, earlier than other teams. Does what he said ‘the first game’ include the Seoul Series?
“I think so,” he said, adding that there is no problem with opening earlier than usual. He said he had a normal offseason and said, “We haven’t talked about the future progress or innings yet. There will be discussions soon. “I will be able to find out when the team wants me to pitch,” he said, drawing the line that a specific schedule has not yet been discussed.
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