3 major implications the James Paxton signing has on the Mariners rotation

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 29: Starter James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch (Sodo Mojo All-Star). (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 29: Starter James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch (Sodo Mojo All-Star). (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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Seattle Mariners Justin Dunn
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 21: Justin Dunn #35 of the Seattle Mariners looks on after the bottom of the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park on September 21, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

There is now only one spot open in the rotation

Jerry Dipoto said that there are 4 pitchers who will undoubtedly be in the Mariners rotation: Marco Gonzales, Justus Sheffield, Yusei Kikuchi, and Chris Flexen. Now with the addition of James Paxton the 6 man rotation now only has 1 spot open for someone to claim.

The main competition will be between Justin Dunn and Nick Margevicius with Ljay Newsome having a small chance to sneak into the 6th spot. Dipoto also said that the most MLB-ready prospect of the group of Seattle’s top prospects is Logan Gilbert, and while we would assume that Gilbert won’t start the year in the majors so that Seattle has another year of team control, he could take that final spot just a few months into the season.

While it seems unlikely, there is also the possibility that another starter is signed. What I would not be surprised by is if the Mariners signed someone on a minor league deal, like Julio Teheran for example, who would also compete for that final spot.

I would assume that he is safe, but Paxton’s signing could also mean that Nick Margevicius is DFA’d in favor of Justin Dunn and Ljay Newsome competing for the 6th spot to start the season with Logan Gilbert taking the spot during the season.