"Two years after Toronto drafted him and nine months after Seattle made him its fourth-round pick, James Paxton signed a professional contract on Friday. "I think it finally came down to his desire to play," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. Paxton, a 22-year-old who said he is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, had pitched only for the independent league Grand Prairie Air Hogs over the last two years - making four starts and going 1-2 with a 4.08 earned-run average. "I learned a lot about business the last few years, but the Mariners kept working with my representatives and we got it done," Paxton said. "Suiting up (today) is going to be awesome." Yes, Paxton will jump right into the middle of spring training, although Zduriencik said the team will be cautious with a man who hasn't faced much live hitting in months." Read more: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/03/05/1570930/mariners-sign-big-left-hander.html
