SEATTLE -- Felix Hernandez has anchored the Mariners' rotation as the ace of the staff for the past decade, serving as the club's Opening Day starter for 10 of the past 11 years and establishing himself as one of the top right-handers in MLB.
But inevitably, times change, and as the Mariners head toward the 2018 season, left-hander James Paxton has emerged as the player most critical to Seattle's success.
Paxton had a breakout campaign in 2017, going 12-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 24 starts. He was inserting himself into the American League Cy Young Award conversation before a stint on the disabled list with a strained pectoral muscle in August stunted his production.