Seattle Mariners: 3 More Suitors for James Paxton

With rumors rapidly coming at us by the hour, today could finally be the day the Mariners trade James Paxton. It seems at this point that teams have made their final pitches to Jerry Dipoto, his options have been weighed, and the time to make a decision has come, in all likelihood.

While Colby has taken a look at Atlanta, New York, and Philadelphia in his recent Paxton proposal articles, it’s possible none of these rumored frontrunners will nab the Big Maple in the end. If you’re familiar with the MLB Hot Stove season, you’ll know all about the term “frontrunner” and how it rarely ever points us in the right direction of which team will acquire the next big trade piece. Not to imply that these rumors are necessarily red herrings, but they accomplish a similar result all the same.

On occasion, a team very few have identified wind up pulling the trigger on these deals. That may very well be the case in this Paxton ordeal, with so many teams reportedly in the fold. The upcoming starting pitching market is expected to be highly competitive and expensive, leaving many teams on the outside looking in. Paxton is a 29-year-old ace scheduled to make just $9 million this season. While he will come expensive in terms of prospect compensation, quite a few organizations will likely find that to be a more viable option than dropping countless dollars on one of the more promising free agents.

Today, we’ll take a look at three potential suitors for Paxton who have hardly been covered or have completely flown under the radar thus far. There are plenty of teams that fit the mold, but only some offer the kind of return Dipoto and co. are likely aiming for.