YANKEES PLUCK PAXTON FROM SEATTLE
The New York Yankees acquired pitcher James Paxton from the Seattle Mariners for pitchers Justus Sheffield and Erik Swanson, plus outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams.
What does it give the New York Yankees
The Yankees were in desperate need of a third quality starting pitcher behind right-handers Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka (especially since the Sonny Gray acquisition did not pan out). Enter Paxton, a quality left-hander who struck out 208 batters in just 160.1 innings for the Mariners in 2018. Expect the 30-year-old southpaw to cement himself as New York's No. 3 starter next season.
What does it give the Seattle Mariners
This was a solid deal for the Mariners, who are expected to completely revamp their roster this off-season (after years of chronic underachievement and disappointment). In Sheffield, the M's land the Yankees' former top pitching prospect and a left-hander who may be able to match Paxton's strikeout prowess (eventually). Sheffield should be called up to Seattle at some point in 2019. Swanson is a versatile right-hander who may also debut next season, while Thompson-Williams is a marginal prospect at this point.
Fantasy impact
Both Paxton and Sheffield should benefit from this trade, for different reasons. Paxton should win more games with the Yankees, as he should now receive much better run support. Sheffield, on the other hand, now gets a much better opportunity to reach MLB quickly. He should thrive once he makes it to Seattle, thanks to their spacious confines. Both Swanson and Thompson-Williams are off the fantasy radar until further notice.
