BREAKING: Dodgers sign veteran pitcher after shocking James Paxton release
The Dodgers’ decision to designate James Paxton for assignment and remove him from the 40-man roster has raised eyebrows. Paxton had been underperforming recently, with an 8.66 ERA over his last four starts, prompting the Dodgers to part ways with him in favor of top prospect River Ryan. However, the team isn’t finished making moves, as they are still addressing their pitching staff’s injury issues.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Dodgers have signed veteran pitcher Jordan Lyles to a minor-league contract. Lyles, who was recently released by the Kansas City Royals, has struggled throughout his career, with a career ERA of 5.22 and never finishing a season with an ERA below 4.00. Despite his inconsistent performance, Lyles offers the ability to pitch significant innings, averaging nearly 179 innings per season over the past three years. This could be beneficial for the Dodgers, who need someone to provide valuable innings while their injured starters recover.
The addition of Lyles is similar to last season’s acquisition of Lance Lynn—a veteran capable of reliably starting games, which is crucial during the long regular season. This move also reflects the Dodgers’ confidence in their pitching coaches to help Lyles become a more effective pitcher. With Tyler Glasnow returning to action and Clayton Kershaw set to follow, Lyles may not have a major role, especially with Walker Buehler, Dustin May, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto still recovering.
Is Jordan Lyles that much better than James Paxton for the Dodgers?
James Paxton had a relatively solid season for the Dodgers after signing a one-year, $7 million contract this past offseason. Despite a recent rough patch, his overall stats are decent, with a 4.43 ERA. However, his strikeout-to-walk ratio has been poor, and his fastball velocity has significantly declined, which has impacted his performance.
Jordan Lyles, on the other hand, hasn’t pitched much in 2024 due to personal issues. His fastball velocity is even lower than Paxton’s, and he has struggled with giving up home runs. In 2023, he allowed nearly two home runs per nine innings, even in a pitcher-friendly park.
The Dodgers might be hoping to trade Paxton and find a team willing to take on the rest of his salary, given his injury history and declining performance. By opting for Lyles, who is more affordable and durable, they might be looking for a cost-effective alternative that can still contribute innings.