Tigers receive poor grade on trade for Chris Paddack from Twins

The Detroit Tigers made their first move of the MLB trade deadline on Tuesday afternoon, swinging a deal with an in-division rival. They sent their 14th-ranked prospect, Enrique Jimenez, to the Minnesota Twins for Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak.

After the trade was completed, their trade was graded by ESPN's Bradford Doolittle and David Schoenfield. The first trade of the deadline for Detroit, in their eyes, wasn't a great one, as the Tigers earned a "D" grade.

"Though it makes sense for the Tigers to acquire some pitching help," Schoenfield and Doolittle write, "Paddack hardly projects as anything more than someone who might chew up a few extra innings beyond what they've been getting from their current back-end starters."

While Detroit needed to bring in more pitching help, and likely will continue to inquire about relievers, the Tigers' move to bring in Paddack and Dobnak isn't moving the needle for either Bradford or Doolittle.

MORE: Tigers trade for Twins' 4.95 ERA starter for minor leaguer

This season, through 21 starts, Paddack has a 4.95 ERA, a 3-9 record, and has tied his career highs in hits and earned runs allowed. His ERA+ is 85, which means he's 15 percent worse than the league-average pitcher this season.

While Paddack has struggled this season, Dobnak hasn't pitched much at all, with just one appearance in 2025 for Minnesota, where he went 5.1 innings and allowed one earned run. In his 17 games in Triple-A this season, he has a 7.12 ERA.

Neither Dobnak nor Paddack is are incredible pitcher, and while both could be starters for the team, both project as relievers come the postseason for Detroit.

ESPN's grade for the Tigers is not a largely detrimental one. This trade is a minor move to make, and while they sent a decent prospect, ranked 14th by MLB Pipeline, it's not a huge loss, especially if either Paddack or Dobnak can contribute this season.

A "D" is a low grade, but it's not a huge trade for the Tigers to make. If the Tigers can swing more deals by the deadline, this move won't look nearly as bad as it does right now. If it's the only move, then it'd be a disappointing deadline for Detroit.

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