The Detroit Tigers made a strategic move Monday by trading with American League Central rival Minnesota Twins, obtaining right-handed pitchers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak. This trade, involving minor league catcher Enrique Jimenez moving to the Twins, aims to reinforce the Tigers’ pitching rotation as they lead the division and look to improve after recent struggles.
Chris Paddack Brings Experience and Potential to Detroit’s Rotation
Paddack, 29, is the centerpiece of the trade. This season with Minnesota, he has a 3-9 record and a 4.95 ERA over 21 games. In his Major League career, which includes time with the San Diego Padres (2019-2021) and the Twins (2022-2025), Paddack has a 30-33 record, a 4.49 ERA, and has struck out 500 batters across 534 2/3 innings in 106 games (103 as a starter). He will bolster a Detroit starting rotation led by Tarik Skubal, which presently has the sixth-best ERA in baseball at 3.58.
Randy Dobnak Adds Depth Despite Recent Challenges
Joining Paddack is 30-year-old Randy Dobnak, a former starter for the Twins who has recently been used mostly in relief. Over 39 major league appearances (21 starts), Dobnak is 9-12 with a 4.86 ERA and two saves. He has spent much of the current season pitching at Triple-A St. Paul, where his stats include a 1-7 record and 7.12 ERA. Dobnak’s $3 million salary for this year and a $6 million team option for next season, with a $1 million buyout, give the Tigers some financial flexibility going forward.
Enrique Jimenez Heads to Minnesota as a Prospect with Upside
The player sent to Minnesota, 19-year-old Enrique Jimenez, is a Venezuelan native currently playing rookie-level baseball. This season with Detroit’s Florida Complex League team, Jimenez hit .250 with a .339 on-base percentage and .440 slugging, including six home runs and four stolen bases over 48 games. Known as a switch-hitter, he is rated by MLB Pipeline as the 14th-ranked prospect in the Tigers’ system, highlighting his potential future value.
Trade Aims to Address Recent Pitching Inconsistencies and Support Playoff Push
The Tigers made this trade following a difficult stretch where they lost 12 of their last 14 games, despite holding a strong lead in the American League Central. By adding Paddack and Dobnak, Detroit aims to strengthen the later innings of their rotation and maintain their momentum toward a playoff position. Integrating these pitchers could be critical for sustaining success in the competitive division and enhancing championship hopes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How fast does Chris Paddack throw?
A. During the postseason, the average speed of the fastball was 96.6 miles per hour.