January 23rd, 2024 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Late Monday night, it was reported on social media that the Dodgers had signed 35-year-old veteran left-hander James Paxton to a one-year free agent contract worth a reported $12 million that includes performance incentives.
There is no disputing that the Ladner Canada native and fourth round draft pick in 2010 by the Seattle Mariners out of the University of Kentucky in Lexington has had a respectable 10-year MLB career with his 64-38 record and 3.69 ERA. But meaning no disrespect to the hard-throwing southpaw, he will be 36 years old in November.
By comparison, and again meaning no disrespect, longtime Dodgers ace and (now) free agent future Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw, who will be 36 on March 19, would have been a far better choice to join Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, and (eventually) Shohei Ohtani in the Dodgers starting rotation than Paxton.
That being said, none of us know what was discussed between Kershaw and Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman behind closed doors, and there is every indication that the Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in Dallas is planning to retire (as a Dodger) with his remarkable Cooperstown-bound 16-year/210-92/2.48 ERA MLB career.
If Kershaw is indeed planning to retire, then the Paxton deal certainly makes sense, especially on a one-year/incentive-laden deal.
Play Ball!
* * * * * *
Posted in 
I think an off-season like the Dodgers have just probably was just completed was unimaginable going back to Nov 1.
Ohtani
Yamamato
Glasnow
Teoscar H
Margot
This should be a special team.
First 6 guys in the lineup should hit 200 home runs.
This could go down as THE best Dodgers season of my lifetime … and I’m old!
I don’t think this deal was an either Kershaw or Paxton type of signing. I think this was to provide a starter at the beginning of the season (and getting a LHP helps the rotation). Knowing that Kershaw can’t pitch until July/August, they can still sign him once Spring Training starts and they can open up a couple of 40-man spots when May and Gonsolin go on the 60-day IL. There is no rush to sign Kershaw.
Agree. In the grand scheme of things with the way contracts are today, you almost have to consider one at $12M a steal.
I certainly hope Paxton makes a TON of incentive money, if you get my drift.
kershaw is unable to pitch until late summer. dodger does have plans to bring him back but only after season starts so they can put him on IL to save a 40 man spot.
Dodgers and Kershaw do not have to wait until after the season starts. Once Spring Training officially begins the Dodgers and Kershaw can sign a contract and immediately put him on the 60-day IL so that a spot on 40-man roster is not required.
Kershaw will sign once the season starts, If he signs now we would need to cut or trade someone from the roster, once the season starts he can be put on the 60 day Injured list without having to cut someone from our roster.
Need depth
Solid signing
Please get us a reliever
This off-season I learned AF is in to win it all. Signing Paxton has zero to do with Kershaw. If he wants to play in LA, AF will make it happen.
Kershaw will be back. Signing paxton had zero bearing on Kershaw’s status. Problem is he can’t pitch until Julyish so AF is assuming that one of our many injury Prone Starters will get hurt.
I agree with others saying this has nothing to do with Kersh. The Dodgers could sign 10 more starting pitchers and if Kersh wants to be back, he’ll be back. With that said, I’ve never been a huge Paxton fan but would anybody be surprised if this guy puts up 2022 Tyler Anderson-esque numbers this year? I know I wouldn’t be lol. Minus Syndergaard this team just knows how to get the most out of every guy they sign. I like it!
Dodgers can sign Kershaw as soon as they officially begin Spring Training then immediately place him on 60-day IL. Regarding Paxton, I am not optimistic — it is deja vu all over again: Syndergaard, Reyes, Kahnle, Lewis, Hudson, et al
Kershaw must come back, if only because that last game against Arizona can’t be his last game. He can’t end his career like that.
Couldn’t agree more.