James Paxton

Boston Red Sox, Starting Pitcher
Age: 36-17d (Nov 06, 1988)
Exp: 9.151 Years
Country: CA
College: Kentucky
Drafted: Round 4 (#132 overall), 2010
Agent(s): Scott Boras (Boras Corporation)

2024-2024 free-agent-xxb

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $7,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including $3,000,000 signing bonus, $7,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $7,000,000
Average Salary:
$7,000,000
Signing Bonus:
$3,000,000
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA
Year Age PayrollAnnual Luxury Tax Tax % League Tax Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2024 35 $2,483,871 $2,483,871 - $2,483,871 $2,483,871
2025 36
UFA
Retained Salary
2024 35 $6,516,129 $6,516,129 2.75% $6,516,129 $6,516,129
Year Age Service Base Salary Signing Proration Incentives Likely Incentives Unlikely Payroll Salary Luxury Tax
2024 35 9.151 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 - - $2,483,871 $2,483,871
2025 36 --
UFA
Retained Salary
2024 35 $1,516,129 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 - $6,516,129 $6,516,129
Year Age Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2024 35 $2,483,871 $2,483,871 $2,483,871 $2,483,871 $2,483,871
Retained/Dead Cash
2024 35 $1,516,129 $6,516,129 $6,516,129 $6,516,129 $6,516,129
Contract Notes
  • Signing Bonus: $3M

  • Games Started
    $600,000 each for 6, 8, 10, 12, 16
    $1M each for 18, 20

  • Opening Day (3/20 or 3/28) Bonus: $2M 
    or
    Active Roster by 4/15: $1M
Source: MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2022-2023 free-agent-xxb

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $10,000,000 contract with the Boston Red Sox, including $10,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $10,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $10,000,000
Average Salary:
$10,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2024 / UFA
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2021-2021 free-agent-xxb

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $8,500,000 contract with the Seattle Mariners, including $8,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,500,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $8,500,000
Average Salary:
$8,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2020-2020 Arbitration

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $12,500,000 contract with the New York Yankees, including $12,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $12,500,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $12,500,000
Average Salary:
$12,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2019-2019 Arbitration

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $8,575,000 contract with the New York Yankees, including $8,575,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,575,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $8,575,000
Average Salary:
$8,575,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2018-2018 Arbitration

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $4,900,000 contract with the Seattle Mariners, including $4,900,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,900,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $4,900,000
Average Salary:
$4,900,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2017-2017 Arbitration

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $2,350,000 contract with the Seattle Mariners, including $2,350,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $2,350,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $2,350,000
Average Salary:
$2,350,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2016-2016 Pre-Arb

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $507,500 contract with the Seattle Mariners, including $507,500 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $507,500.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $507,500
Average Salary:
$507,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2015-2015 Pre-Arb

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $519,000 contract with the Seattle Mariners, including $519,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $519,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $519,000
Average Salary:
$519,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2014-2014 Pre-Arb

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $503,500 contract with the Seattle Mariners, including $503,500 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $503,500.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $503,500
Average Salary:
$503,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2013-2013 Pre-Arb

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $490,000 contract with the Seattle Mariners, including $490,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $490,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $490,000
Average Salary:
$490,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2010-2010 Signing Bonus

James Paxton signed a 1 year , $942,500 contract with the Seattle Mariners, including $942,500 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $942,500.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $942,500
Average Salary:
$942,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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Seasons

9.151 Years

Career Earnings thru 2025

$50,011,146

Earnings w/ Different Teams

4 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2010 21
Signing Bonus
$942,500
$942,500
2013 24
Active
$13,230
$955,730
2014 25
Active
$74,286
$1,030,016
2015 26
Active
$519,000
$1,549,016
2016 27
Active
$507,500
$2,056,516
2017 28
Active / Arb Avoided
$2,350,000
$4,406,516
2018 29
Active / Arb Avoided
$4,900,000
$9,306,516
2019 30
Active / Arb Avoided
$8,575,000
$17,881,516
2020 31
Injured / Arb Avoided
$4,629,630
$22,511,146
2021 32
Injured
$8,500,000
$31,011,146
2022 33
Injured
$6,000,000
$37,011,146
2023 34
Injured / Player Exercised
$4,000,000
$41,011,146
2024 35
Injured
Retained
$2,483,871
$6,516,129
$43,495,017
$50,011,146
Total      
$50,011,146
$43,495,017
$50,011,146
Total
$50,011,146

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
8 $16,864,016 $942,500 - $17,806,516
2 $13,204,630 - - $13,204,630
3 $12,483,871 - - $12,483,871
1 $1,516,129 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $6,516,129
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2010
21
$942,500
$942,500
$942,500
2013
24
$13,230
$13,230
$955,730
2014
25
$74,286
$74,286
$1,030,016
2015
26
$519,000
$519,000
$1,549,016
2016
27
$507,500
$507,500
$2,056,516
2017
28
$2,350,000
$2,350,000
$4,406,516
2018
29
$4,900,000
$4,900,000
$9,306,516
2019
30
$8,575,000
$8,575,000
$17,881,516
2020
31
$4,629,630
$4,629,630
$22,511,146
2021
32
$8,500,000
$8,500,000
$31,011,146
2022
33
$6,000,000
$6,000,000
$37,011,146
2023
34
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
$41,011,146
2024
35
$2,483,871
$1,516,129
$3,000,000
$2,000,000
$2,483,871
$6,516,129
$43,495,017
$50,011,146
Total
$44,068,646
$3,942,500
$2,000,000
$50,011,146
$43,495,017
$50,011,146
Total
$44,068,646
$3,942,500
$2,000,000
$50,011,146

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
8 $16,864,016 $942,500 - $17,806,516
2 $13,204,630 - - $13,204,630
3 $12,483,871 - - $12,483,871
1 $1,516,129 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $6,516,129

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2024 BOS Aug 12, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024 Calf
2023 BOS Sep 10, 2023 - Oct 01, 2023 Knee
2023 BOS Mar 30, 2023 - May 10, 2023 Hamstring
2022 BOS Apr 04, 2022 - Oct 05, 2022 Elbow (Tommy John)
2021 SEA Apr 07, 2021 - Oct 03, 2021 Arm
2020 NYY Aug 21, 2020 - Sep 27, 2020 Hip
2019 NYY May 04, 2019 - May 29, 2019 Knee
2018 SEA Aug 15, 2018 - Sep 01, 2018 Arm
2018 SEA Jul 13, 2018 - Jul 30, 2018 Back
2017 SEA Aug 11, 2017 - Sep 15, 2017 Pectoral
2017 SEA May 03, 2017 - May 31, 2017 Arm
2016 SEA Aug 08, 2016 - Aug 25, 2016 Elbow
2015 SEA May 29, 2015 - Sep 13, 2015 Finger
  • Jul 26, 2024 Traded to Boston (BOS) from Los Angeles (LAD) for Moises Bolivar
  • Jul 22, 2024 Designated for Assignment by Los Angeles (LAD)
  • Jan 23, 2024 Signed a 1 year $7 million contract with Los Angeles (LAD)
  • Nov 09, 2022 Exercised a $4 million player option for 2023
  • Nov 08, 2022 Boston (BOS) declined a 2 year, $26 million option for 2023-2024, conveying a $4M player option
  • Dec 01, 2021 Signed a 1 year $10 million contract with Boston (BOS)
  • Feb 14, 2021 Signed a 1 year $8.5 million contract with Seattle (SEA)
  • Jan 10, 2020 Signed a 1 year $12.5 million contract with New York (NYY), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 11, 2019 Signed a 1 year $8.575 million contract with New York (NYY), avoiding arbitration
  • Nov 19, 2018 Traded to New York (NYY) from Seattle (SEA) for Justus Sheffield, Dom Thompson-Williams and Erik Swanson
  • Jan 12, 2018 Signed a 1 year $4.9 million contract with Seattle (SEA), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 13, 2017 Signed a 1 year $2.35 million contract with Seattle (SEA), avoiding arbitration
  • Mar 03, 2015 Signed a 1 year $519,000 contract with Seattle (SEA)
  • Mar 03, 2014 Signed a 1 year $503,500 contract with Seattle (SEA)
  • Sep 03, 2013 Contract purchased by Seattle (SEA)
  • Jun 15, 2010 Signed a contract with Seattle (SEA)
  • Jun 08, 2010 Drafted by Seattle (SEA): Round 4 (#132 overall)
Year Team GP GS H R ER BB K HR W L SV IP ERA WHIP WAR
2024 BOS 21 21 95 53 49 50 73 12 9 3 0 100.3 4.40 1.45 0.17
2023 BOS 19 19 93 51 48 33 101 18 7 5 0 96.0 4.50 1.31 1.07
2021 SEA 1 1 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 1.3 6.75 0.75 -0.02
2020 NYY 5 5 23 17 15 7 26 4 1 1 0 20.3 6.64 1.48 -0.39
2019 NYY 29 29 138 71 64 55 186 23 15 6 0 150.7 3.82 1.28 2.42
2018 SEA 28 28 134 67 67 42 208 23 11 6 0 160.3 3.76 1.10 2.94
2017 SEA 24 24 113 47 45 37 156 9 12 5 0 136.0 2.98 1.10 3.57
2016 SEA 20 20 134 62 51 24 117 9 6 7 0 121.0 3.79 1.31 0.98
2015 SEA 13 13 67 34 29 29 56 8 3 4 0 67.0 3.90 1.43 0.66
2014 SEA 13 13 60 29 25 29 59 3 6 4 0 74.0 3.04 1.20 1.32
2013 SEA 4 4 15 5 4 7 21 2 3 0 0 24.0 1.50 0.92 1.14

Calculated Market Value

Market Value

  • 2 years, $16,774,048
  • Avg. Salary: $8,387,024
  • MLB Rank: 153
  • SP Rank: 56

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2025
  • Avg. Salary: $7,000,000

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare James Paxton to.

Player Length Value Avg. Salary Age When Signed
Chris Sale 2 $38,000,000 $19,000,000 34
Justin Verlander 2 $86,666,666 $43,333,333 39
Jacob deGrom 5 $185,000,000 $37,000,000 34
Averages 3 $103,222,222 $33,111,111 35.7

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Paxton's current age (36), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length Value Avg. Salary
4 $163,849,056 $40,962,264

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Paxton statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GS/Yr, IP, K/9, BB/9, ERA, WHIP, FIP, WAR

Player GS/Yr IP K/9 BB/9 ERA WHIP FIP WAR
Chris Sale
2022-2023
11.00 4.92 9.45 2.06 3.74 1.09 3.10 2.57
Justin Verlander
2021-2022
14.00 6.25 4.76 0.74 0.88 0.41 1.25 6.82
Jacob deGrom
2021-2022
13.00 6.01 14.27 1.10 2.08 0.65 1.68 7.82
Average 12.67 5.73 9.49 1.30 2.23 0.72 2.01 5.74
James Paxton
2023-2024
20.00 4.91 8.01 3.79 4.45 1.38 4.73 0.97
Pct Change 57.85 -14.31 -15.60 -191.54 -99.55 -91.67 -135.32 -83.10
Median Prime % Change -87.39%
Average Prime % Change -71.66%

Calculated Market Value: James Paxton

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms Avg. Salary
2 years, $16,774,048 $8,387,024
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