MLB Teams are Supposedly Interested in Oft-Injured Minnesota Twins Starter

The Minnesota Twins need to shuffle their roster ahead of the 2025 season. That will require Derek Falvey showing a new level of creativity. Last season he was handed a mandate to cut payroll by $30 million. The Pohlad’s aren’t dropping it further, but they aren’t giving him more money either.

Multiple players on Minnesota’s roster have contracts that kick in at a higher valuation in 2025. That means the same roster gets more expensive across the board. If the Twins are going to swap out players, or add free agents, they’ll need to be active on the trade market. Thankfully it seems there’s early interest in some of the talent they have for sale.

Derek Falvey flipped closer Taylor Rogers, just before Opening Day, a few seasons ago. He picked up Emilio Pagan, as part of the exchange. But the plan also included the a controllable (contract), cost effective starting pitcher with lots of upside. That starter was Chris Paddack, now 28-years-old.

Chris Paddack on the Minnesota Twins trade block

In his time with the Twins, there have been flashes of the upside Falvey saw in this 6-5, 217 lb flamethrower out of Cedar Park High School (TX). Unfortunately, those sparks have been few and far between, because he has been on the shelf dealing with injuries for most of his three seasons in the Twin Cities.

Paddack has pitched less than 120 innings as a Twin. And in 2025, his contract calls for a $7.5 million salary. That makes him very, let’s say… ‘moveable’. Lucky for the front office, MLB insider Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) thinks there is some interest around the league in “The Sheriff”.

“Teams are still in the exploratory stage of trade talks, exchanging team needs, but league sources expect some interest in Twins starter Chris Paddack, who missed the final 2½ months of the season because of a forearm strain. He’s owed $7.5 million in the last year of his contract. Paddack was inconsistent with a 4.99 ERA through 17 starts, but he will be another year removed from his second Tommy John elbow surgery.”

Bobby Nightengale on Chris Paddack trade discussions (Star Tribune)

Realistically any trade of Paddack would be addition by subtraction. His 4.82 ERA with Minnesota isn’t a dumpster fire, but he has thrown just 115 2/3 innings across three seasons. The bar to clear in replacing him is not high, and another organization taking on his modest (in most worlds) salary would provide flexibility for the extra cheap Twins.

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That salary is not significant when it comes to a back-end starter. Surely, another organization will be willing to take on such a minimal risk, given Paddack throws 100 MPH with nice offspeed stuff. If he can stay healthy, his next team more than likely cashes in on a 2025 Chris Paddack investment.

May 19, 2024.

Chris Paddack against Guardians.

8.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K#MNTwins lose 5-2.

FACT: Paddack completed seven innings twice in 2024. He did this just once between 2020-23. pic.twitter.com/63DCH42GkF

— Twins Gems (@TwinsGems) November 7, 2024

The thought process behind acquiring the former 8th round draft pick was the right one. Sometimes, even the best plans do not work out, and that’s what happened here. Once a rookie phenom, Paddack’s career has been marred by injury.

It’s illogical to think Paddack would flame out on opportunities before the age of 30, but the clock is ticking. As for the Minnesota Twins, who need high-ceiling starters to compete in training camp, this is clearly another cost-cutting move.

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As was the case with Jorge Polanco, Falvey finds himself with no other option than to move somewhat expendable assets, in exchange for salary relief. What will the Twins get back for Chris Paddack, beyond more money in the Pohlads’ pocket? Probably nothing.