The Los Angeles Dodgers traded James Paxton to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for prospect Moises Bolivar, who is in the Dominican Summer League.
The Paxton trade was completed four days after being designated for assignment. That decision spawned from the Dodgers needing to make room for River Ryan to make his MLB debut against the San Francisco Giants.
Although Paxton was one of just two Dodgers starters to make every turn in the rotation this season, the veteran likely did not factor into the club’s postseason pitching plans.
“It was tough. James is an absolute pro. I was very fortunate, we were all fortunate, to get to have him don the Dodger uniform. It’s one of those decisions that is very difficult,” manager Dave Roberts said of the Dodgers deciding to DFA Paxton.
“Trying to understand the guys we have coming back, the guys we want to get looks at, and in particular, some starters, so it was a difficult decision. He handled it like a pro.
“Brandon Gomes called him this morning and I followed up with a phone call. Like I said, he handled it great. Grateful for his time and we were very fortunate to have him.”
Paxton went 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA, 4.96 FIP and 1.46 WHIP in 18 starts. He led the National League with 48 walks and is striking out a career-low 6.4 batters per nine innings.
The Dodgers signed Paxton to a one-year, $7 million contract during the offseason. His deal included a signing bonus and performance incentives, and was reached after he initially agreed to a one-year contract for $11 million.
Paxton and the Dodgers reworked his contract after the original agreement due to some health concerns.
Injuries were not a problem for Paxton during his Dodgers tenure, and he earned bonuses of $600,000 each time for making sixth, eighth, 10th, 12th and 16th starts this year. Paxton also secured a $1 million bonus for making an 18th start of the year, which came Sunday against the Red Sox.
The Boston trade represents a return for Paxton, as he spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Red Sox. However, he did not pitch in 2022 because of setbacks during the recovery process from Tommy John surgery, and injuries limited him to 19 starts last year.
New Dodgers prospect: Moises Bolivar
Moises Bolivar is a Venezuelan native who signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent on Jan. 15, 2024.
Bolivar was immediately assigned to the Red Sox Dominican Summer League team, where he hit .270/.364/.423 with six doubles, one triple, three home runs and 19 RBI through 31 games.
With the trade, Bolivar was assigned to Dodgers Bautista roster in the DSL.
Shortstop has been a position the Dodgers have looked to address for future years through the MLB Draft, various trades and international signings. Now Bolivar joins a group of Dodgers shortstop prospects that also includes Joendry Vargas, Alex Freeland, Emil Morales and Trey Sweeney.
But given his age and inexperience thus far, Bolivar may be more of a lottery ticket compared to others.
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