Tigers trade for Twins' 4.95 ERA starter for minor leaguer

The Detroit Tigers, with four days until the MLB trade deadline, are already beginning to inch closer to trades. While the starting rotation isn't in dire need of help, more arms are always welcome.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Tigers are trading for Minnesota Twins starter Chris Paddack. The 29-year-old Twins right-hander has started 21 games for the Twins this season and has a 4.95 ERA so far.

Deal is done: Paddack to Tigers

Paddack has been struggling a bit as of late. The veteran starter has, in his last four starts in July, a 6.00 ERA and a 0-2 record. He's been a below league-average pitcher this season, with an 85 ERA+ in his 21 starts.

Aside from his 4.95 ERA, Paddack has a 3-9 record, 83 strikeouts, and 27 walks in 111 innings pitched this season. He's allowed 115 hits, 61 earned runs, and 17 home runs on the year as well.

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It's tied for the most hits he's allowed in a season, and also tied for the most earned runs he's allowed in a season. He's also not far off from his home run and walk totals, passing his previous career highs, too.

The Tigers, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, are sending a minor leaguer to the Twins for the veteran starter. It's not going to be a highly ranked prospect, as Paddack didn't have immense value at the trade deadline.

Chris Paddack goes to Tigers in trade for minor leaguer @Ken_Rosenthal on it

The veteran right-hander is a free agent after the season, and won't cost a lot for the Tigers to acquire. He'd slide into the back of the rotation, likely taking over for Troy Metlon after his rough first start in the big leagues, where he allowed six earned runs in five innings of work.

Come the postseason, Paddack could be a valuable bullpen arm, where he thrived for the Twins in 2023, pitching 3.2 scoreless innings during their postseason run.

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