The Red Sox are in talks to acquire Paxton from the Dodgers, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boston was immediately linked to Paxton after the left-hander was designated for assignment by the Dodgers and it sounds like a trade could come together soon. Paxton has collected an underwhelming 4.43 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 64:48 K:BB in 89.1 innings over 18 starts this season, but he did post a 101:33 K:BB across 96 frames in 2023 with the Red Sox.

The Dodgers designated Paxton for assignment Monday.

EDGE Analysis

In a corresponding move, the Dodgers selected the contract of right-hander River Ryan, who will start or serve as a bulk reliever in Monday's game against the Giants. With Ryan at least temporarily joining the big-league rotation and Tyler Glasnow (back) and Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) due back from the injured list later this week, the Dodgers didn't have a spot available for Paxton, who went 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 64:48 K:BB in 89.1 innings over 18 starts this season. Now that he's off the 40-man roster, the Dodgers will have 10 days to trade or waive Paxton, who is under contract on a one-year, $7 million base salary. If the Dodgers can't execute a trade for him or if he clears waivers, the 35-year-old Paxton will likely elect free agency and look to sign with a team on a more cost-effective deal.

The Dodgers are expected to designate Paxton for assignment Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Look for the Dodgers to make the transaction shortly before Monday's game against the Giants, with right-hander River Ryan set to be added to the 40-man roster ahead of what would be his MLB debut. Along with the addition of Ryan, the Dodgers are set to get Tyler Glasnow (back) and Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) back from the injured list later this week, leaving no room in the rotation for Paxton. Though he has a lengthy injury history, the southpaw hasn't missed a start this season, but his performance has taken a step backward in his age-35 campaign. While he's kept his fantasy value afloat by picking up eight wins in 18 outings, Paxton has supported the win total with a middling 4.43 ERA and 1.46 WHIP, and he's seen his strikeout rate drop precipitously (career-worst 16.4 percent). If the Dodgers aren't able to find a taker for Paxton via trade or waivers, expect him to become a free agent and catch on with another organization on a low-cost, one-year deal.

Paxton (8-2) earned the win Sunday over the Red Sox, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out seven over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton served up a two-run homer to Jarren Duran on just the third pitch of the game but was able to settle in from there and hold the Red Sox scoreless until the sixth inning. Control issues remain an issue for Paxton, as he's issued 15 walks and given up 17 runs over his last 22.2 innings. For the year, the 35-year-old owns a 4.43 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 64:48 K:BB in 89.1 innings. He lines up to face the Astros on the road over the weekend.

Paxton did not factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 win against the Tigers, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks with one strikeout over 3.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton yielded three runs over the first two innings and was pulled with two outs in the fourth at 81 pitches. The southpaw's velocity was over one mph below his season averages on all of his offerings, and he has now failed to pitch beyond the fifth inning in each of his past four outings. He will take a 4.38 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 57:44 K:BB across 84.1 innings into the All-Star break.

Paxton did not factor into the decision in a win over Milwaukee on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over five innings while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton allowed one run to come across in the opening frame before surrendering just three hits and a walk from that point on. However, one of those hits was a solo home run off the bat of Rhys Hoskins, marking the second start in a row in which the lefty's given up the long ball and third time in his last three outings. Paxton threw only 10 of his 21 first pitches for strikes on the night and walked multiple batters for the third straight start. He'll look to pick up the first win since June 17 (span of three starts) when the Dodgers travel to Detroit next week to take on the Tigers.

Paxton (7-2) allowed nine runs on 12 hits and two walks over four innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton gave up four runs through three frames before the Giants piled on with a five-run fourth inning. The veteran southpaw had a very odd month of June; he gave up six earned runs in 1.2 innings against the Pirates on June 5 but allowed just two total runs over his next three outings before Sunday's unraveling. Overall, he posted a 6.46 ERA this month, raising his season mark to 4.28 through 15 starts. Paxton's next start is currently lined up to be at home against the Brewers.

Paxton allowed three hits and three walks while striking out six batters over five scoreless innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton needed 91 pitches to get through five frames, so he wasn't able to record a third straight quality start or hang around long enough for Los Angeles' offense to supply him a run. Nonetheless, the veteran left-hander was very effective, and he flashed some of the swing-and-miss stuff of his peak seasons with 18 whiffs. Since giving up a season-high seven runs (six earned) over 1.2 innings versus Pittsburgh in his first start of June, Paxton has surrendered just two runs across 18 frames over his subsequent three outings. The strikeout numbers have been improving too -- Paxton's two best punchout performances of the campaign have come in his past two starts.

Paxton (7-1) earned the win over the Rockies on Monday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over seven innings.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton gave up a second-inning solo homer but otherwise dominated Colorado hitters, holding them to just one additional hit. The veteran hurler completed seven innings for the first time this season and notched his second consecutive quality start. Paxton also tallied a season-high eight punchouts -- three more than his previous top mark in 2024 -- and walked just one batter. There was some uncertainty about Paxton's role after two recent poor starts given that Bobby Miller (shoulder) is set to return this week, but with back-to-back strong outings and with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (shoulder) set to miss several weeks of action, Paxton's place in the rotation looks to be secure.

Paxton (6-1) got the win over the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton's lone run against him came in the second inning on a sacrifice fly. He cruised the rest of the way from there, allowing just two more baserunners and did not allow another runner to get into scoring position. Tuesday was Paxton's first quality start since May 17 and his first win since May 11. His two hits allowed also tied his season low. The strikeout numbers have not been there for Paxton this season. He's topped four strikeouts just once this year and that came all the way back in his first start of the year. Still, he's been able to limit significant damage against him for the majority of the year and owns a 3.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 35:32 K:BB in 59.2 innings. The 35-year-old southpaw lines up to complete a two-start week against the Royals on Sunday.