But while the loss of Paxton certainly dampens the outlook for the Mariners’ 2019 season, the return of Justus Sheffield in the Paxton deal certainly brightens their future for years beyond. That deal set the theme of Jerry Dipoto’s offseason into motion, in which arguably the busiest general manager in baseball continued to shed his team’s veteran stars in favor of young, blossoming talent.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Dipoto’s recent starting pitching acquisitions is that they’re all already at the Major League level, or at least on the 40-man roster, save for Justin Dunn, who may be entering his name into the fold sooner rather than later.