The 2024 season could be the last we see of James Paxton. On Wednesday night, he told Rob Bradford of WEEI that he was planning to retire.

“I’m hoping that we can squeak into the postseason and I get an opportunity to pitch again. But I think, after this season, I’m going to be retiring and moving on to the next chapter,” he said. The 35-year-old called it a “tough” decision because he remains confident in his ability but indicated he feels it’s the right time to “settle in at home.”

Due to injuries, Paxton has spent time with many teams including the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees. When healthy, the veteran lefty could be viewed as one of the better southpaws in the game. Paxton has been out since mid-August with a torn right calf, but could return this season if the Red Sox sneak into the playoffs.

Paxton, a native of British Columbia, was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays 37th overall in the 2009 draft. Though, the two sides didn’t agree to the terms. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners a year later. While in Seattle, the “Big Maple” got off to a great start. He pitched to a 3.42 ERA across 538.2 innings. Paxton was supposed to be part of a Big Three of pitching prospects in Seattle alongside Taijuan Walker and Danny Hultzen. That didn’t work out, however.

He had a short-lived prime from 2017-2019. In 2017, he posted a sub-3.00 ERA. In 2018, he recorded a no-hitter and while with the Yankees in 2019, he recorded 15 wins. That 2019 season was his last full season.

Although, it’s not a Hall of Fame Career we would like to wish the veteran lefty a happy retirement.

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