Rockies Linked To Ex-Red Sox Hurler In Free Agency After Strong Season

It sounds like the Rockies could end up pursuing a former Red Sox starter

One former member of the Boston Red Sox likely will have a solid market in free agency.

Former Red Sox pitcher James Paxton returned to the mound in 2023 after missing the entire 2022 season and was solid. At one point, Paxton even looked like the Red Sox's top starter but struggled down the stretch.

Paxton now is a free agent after spending the last two seasons with Boston and one club that has been loosely linked to him is the Colorado Rockies, according to Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer. 

"Not that it figures to do them much good on the heels of a 103-loss season, but Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt would like to deepen the club's pitching for 2024," Rymer said. "As always, the hard part will be convincing pitchers to come to Denver willingly.

"Coors Field isn't exactly a haven for hurlers, after all, though there might be a chance of adding a veteran who isn't ready to call it a career just yet. On this front, James Paxton stands out as a potential fit for the Rockies because of how his high-velocity, low-spin fastball fits with their general philosophy. Actually signing him could be a reach but, hey, it's what I've got."

Rymer compiled a list of realistic free-agent targets for each Major League Baseball club and mentioned Paxton with the Rockies. Paxton would be a very solid pickup. He has a career 3.69 ERA in 10 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and Red Sox. He would even be a solid reunion candidate for Boston to shore up the back of the rotation.

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