The Dodgers' main priority heading into the offseason was to strengthen their starting rotation, which struggled immensely against the D-backs in the National League Division Series. 

Once the Dodgers acquired Yamamoto and Glasnow, who are expected to be the team's top two starters, most people thought they had made all the upgrades they needed. However, that was untrue. The team was searching for a back-end rotation player with some upside and depth.

Los Angeles felt far more prepared to take a chance on an experienced pitcher. Ultimately, the team selected left-hander James Paxton, who signed to an $11 million, one-year contract.

Although Paxton's 2023 season wasn't ideal, he was undoubtedly glad to be pitching once more. Paxton only made six starts with the Yankees and Mariners combined in 2020 and 2021. After making one start upon his return to Seattle in April 2021, he had Tommy John surgery, missing the remainder of the season. That offseason, he signed with the Red Sox, and he missed all of 2022.

Paxton had a lengthy break in 2023, yet he still had strong numbers. His above-average 27.5 percent whiff rate contributed to his 24.6 percent strikeout rate, and both his projected batting average and expected wOBA were above average. 

Paxton is still a productive starter in spite of his numerous injuries throughout the years. The left-hander threw to a 1.93 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 42 innings over his seven appearances between May 31 and July 8, which was his greatest stretch of the 2023 campaign. On June 30, in Toronto, he gave the Blue Jays his best start of the year, pitching 7 2/3 shutout innings.

“You can never have too much starting pitching”, as the saying goes, as a result the Dodgers acquired Paxton to a one-year contract with high hopes.