New York Yankees: James Paxton facing shortened contract season after surgery

When the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball shut down operations on March 12 amid the coronavirus pandemic that has turned global, there were a lot of questions left unanswered. Commissioner Rob Manfred and the rest of baseball knows that the health and safety of everyone are first and foremost.

Last week, MLB and the players association reached an agreement on service time in 2020 should there be no baseball played at all. Regardless of how long or short of a season (if there is one at all), each player will be granted service time this season. That is big for players playing in the final year of their contacts this season. One Yankees player who will have his contract expire following the season is left-handed pitcher James Paxton.

The Big Maple was not going to start the season on the roster as he recently started a throwing program as he works his way back from offseason back surgery. He had a cyst removed that could cause back and leg pain if not treated.

Having surgery and missing time in a season is not what a player wants, especially one that is in line for a new contract in the offseason. With what everyone hopes is at least a shortened season, that will be an important time frame for Paxton to show he’s recovered and able to pitch without restrictions again.

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What does it mean for the Yankees? Can general manager Brian Cashman trust Paxton to stay healthy after spending time on the IL in five of the last six years to commit long term to him in the offseason? Over the course of his career, he has missed time for a lat issue, pectoral issue, a knee injury last year with the Yanks and now a second stint for his back.

He was acquired in November of 2018 right before Thanksgiving from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for three prospects, including top left-handed prospect Justus Sheffield. Paxton had a good first year in the Bronx in 2019 going 15-6 in his seventh season in the majors.

He set a career-high for wins and in 29 starts, he finished with a 3.82 ERA in 150.2 innings pitched with 186 strikeouts and a career-high 55 walks. He also gave up 23 home runs. If and when the Yankees and the rest of MLB can get back on the field, Paxton should be ready to go when games start.

With Luis Severino out for the season following Tommy John surgery and the uncertainty surrounding him in 2021 post-surgery, Paxton having a good shortened season and re-signing next offseason would go a long way in Cashman committing to him beyond this year.