MLB: James Paxton is traded to Yankees

Left-hander James Paxton was acquired Monday by the New York Yankees from the Seattle Mariners for three prospects.

The Yankees sent left-hander Justus Sheffield, right-hander Erik Swanson and outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams to the Mariners.

Paxton, 30, had an 11-6 record and 3.76 earned-run average in 28 starts last season, including a no-hitter at Toronto on May 8.

Paxton was paid $4.9 million last season and is eligible for salary arbitration. He can become a free agent after the 2020 season.

Sheffield, 22, among the top minor league prospects, broke into the majors in September and pitched in three games.

Etc.

Mariano Rivera, the all-time saves leader with 652, and pitcher Roy Halladay, who died piloting a plane last November, are among 20 new candidates on the Hall of Fame ballot for the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America. Results of the voting will be announced Jan. 22.

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Catcher Kurt Suzuki, 35, is returning to the Washington Nationals after agreeing to a $10-million, two-year contract, pending a physical.

The deal was disclosed to the Associated Press by a person familiar with the agreement who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract was not official.

Suzuki became a free agent after batting .271 for the Atlanta Braves last season. He played for Washington in 2012 and 2013.

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The Cleveland Indians acquired right-hander Chih-Wei Hu in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for infielder Gionti Turner, who was drafted this year.