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5 James Paxton Trade Packages For Selling Seattle Mariners

By Colby Patnode

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 21: James Paxton
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 21: James Paxton /
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PEORIA, AZ – MARCH 4: A hat and glove of of the Seattle Mariners is seen prior to the game against the San Diego Padreson March 4, 2015 at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona. The Mariners defeated the Padres 4-3 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)
PEORIA, AZ – MARCH 4: A hat and glove of of the Seattle Mariners is seen prior to the game against the San Diego Padreson March 4, 2015 at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona. The Mariners defeated the Padres 4-3 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images) /

Seattle Mariners Spring Training is set to begin in 5 weeks. The team believes they are in it to win it in 2018, so trading staff ace James Paxton now would make no sense. But if they are out come July, the possibility becomes more real.

Sadly, the Mariners are likely too good to be completely out of contention by July. This ordinarily is a great thing, but considering their farm system restrictions, adding a significant piece to push them over the edge is nearly impossible.

But as we prepare for what is most likely another mediocre season, we will also plan for the worst( or best if you are on Team Sell like me). The truth is, if the Mariners need to be sellers in July, they have some very attractive pieces.

Nelson Cruz, Dee Gordon, and Mike Leake are all veterans who could fetch the Mariners a decent prospect or two. Vets in the bullpen like Nick Vincent, David Phelps, Juan Nicasio and Marc Rzepczynski will all have a market in July as well.

However, the most appealing piece on the Mariners major league roster might be the 29-year-old Canadian. We may have even gotten a glimpse of Paxton’s approximate trade market during the 2017 deadline.

Sonny Gray was dealt from the Oakland A’s to the New York Yankees in exchange for Dustin Fowler, James Kaprielian, and Jorge Mateo. A very impressive package for the A’s. Fowler is currently the 67th best prospect in baseball according to MLB.com. For good measure, Mateo is currently ranked 98th best, and Kaprielian is a high upside prospect who sits just outside the Top 100. Could the Mariners net a similar package?

The simple answer is yes. At the time of the trade, Gray carried 2.5 years of club control. This July, James Paxton will have, you guessed it, 2.5 years of club control. Gray was 27-years-old when he was dealt. Paxton was born just 366 days earlier. Gray has battled injuries throughout his career. Paxton has battled through injuries in his career.

The biggest difference is, well, James Paxton is a better pitcher right now than Gray. So, now that we have a base to work with, lets explore our 5 trade packages for Mariners Ace James Paxton.

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