Tigers Add Paddack in Trade with Twins for Catching Prospect

The Detroit Tigers boosted their starting rotation on Monday by trading for right-hander Chris Paddack from the Minnesota Twins. The Tigers also took on the contract of minor league pitcher Randy Dobnak. In return, Detroit sent 19-year-old catching prospect Enrique Jimenez to Minnesota. The Tigers made room for Paddack on their roster by placing Reese Olson on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain.

Paddack Brings Experience—But Mixed Results

Paddack, 29, has had a rollercoaster career. He debuted with the Padres in 2019 and had a strong rookie year, posting a 3.33 ERA with a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio over nearly 141 innings. However, the next two seasons saw a drop in strikeouts and a rise in ERA, leading to a trade to the Twins.

Injuries slowed him down further. He underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2022 and only pitched 88 innings last season due to more arm issues. This year, Paddack has managed to stay off the injured list, throwing 111 innings over 21 starts with a 4.95 ERA, 17.6% strikeout rate, and a 5.7% walk rate.

He had a rough start to the 2024 season, allowing nine earned runs to the White Sox in his debut. But he rebounded, putting together a strong stretch of 11 starts where he had a 2.25 ERA. His recent outings have been shakier, but he looked sharp in his last start, giving up just one run over six innings against the Dodgers while striking out eight.

Despite inconsistent results, Paddack drew interest from other teams. The Rays and Yankees were reportedly in the mix, but the Tigers made the winning offer. His affordable $7.5 million salary—and only $2.5 million remaining this season—made him an attractive target in a thin trade market for pitching.

Tigers Add Depth Amid Injury Woes

With Olson out and several other arms sidelined, Detroit needed more rotation help. Their current starters include Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, and Casey Mize. Olson had been a reliable No. 2 option before his injury. The team also recently called up Troy Melton, who struggled in his MLB debut. Paddack offers a steady presence and may allow the Tigers to return Melton to the minors.

The Tigers have faced injuries to key pitchers like Alex Cobb, Jackson Jobe, José Urquidy, Sawyer Gipson-Long, and Ty Madden. While Paddack may not start in a potential playoff rotation, he provides valuable insurance for the stretch run.

Dobnak’s Contract Helps Balance the Trade

Randy Dobnak, once a promising starter, hasn’t pitched much in the majors since 2021. He’s spent most of his time in Triple-A and carries a 7.12 ERA in 60+ innings this season. However, he’s owed roughly $2 million between the rest of his salary this year and a $1 million buyout on a 2026 club option. The Tigers took on his contract to lower the cost of acquiring Paddack.

Twins Get Young Prospect and Clear Payroll

Minnesota receives catcher Enrique Jimenez, a 19-year-old Venezuelan prospect the Tigers signed in 2023 with a $1.25 million bonus. A switch-hitter, Jimenez has hit .255 with a .363 on-base percentage and .413 slugging across 137 minor league games. Baseball America ranks him 17th in Detroit’s system but notes his small size and defensive limitations. FanGraphs had him at No. 28.

The Twins appear to be shifting into sell mode after falling to 50–55 and trailing 5.5 games in the playoff race. Their playoff odds are down to 11%, and they could make more trades soon. Players like Willi Castro, Harrison Bader, Ty France, Danny Coulombe, and Christian Vázquez may also be on the move. Minnesota might even explore offers for controllable arms like Jhoan Durán or Joe Ryan, though their asking price is reportedly steep.

A Move for Now—and the Future

For Detroit, this deal adds a healthy arm at a reasonable price, keeping them in strong shape for a division title. The Tigers lead the AL Central by eight games, and Paddack gives them a solid veteran who can help weather the second half of the season.

For the Twins, it’s a cost-cutting move that adds a promising—if risky—young prospect. And it might just be the first of several deals as they shift focus to the future.