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1.  Q:  did Trout really say that?!
2.  Until Paxton's 3rd or 4th start in late 2013, the M's -- often via the TV crew, but also in Zduriencik's cryptic interviews, and in their trade posturing -- always spoke of Taijuan as a true blue-chipper, vs. Paxton as a very intriguing prospect.  
Everybody, including the Mariners, have always misinterpreted James Paxton's minor league BB totals.  They did not understand that, as with Lincecum and Kerry Wood and others, the ML environment would help bring these down.
This is a critical "light bulb" - which nuclear AAA starters are going to benefit from ML strike zones, coaching, the sense of danger, etc.  Paxton was always going to be fine, once he got to the bigs, threw 80% fastballs, had quality mechanical coaching, re-calibrated his sense of danger and re-set his definition of success ... and got strikes called consistently.
......
Their attitude about Taijuan vs Paxton began to change --- > only this last winter, after Paxton detonated 4 straight contenders.  (Taijuan was still ranked far above Paxton on the prospect lists, though, and on every other Mariner site.)
This spring training, and into April, the momenum had apparently swung inside the Mariners' camp.  This is almost certainly because of McClendon's ability to correctly prioritize talent.  As we stand now, it's not possible for ANYBODY to value Taijuan more than Paxton.
When we talk about Taijuan getting the love, we're talking about back when the situation hadn't clarified and become obvious to everybody.
:daps: