Monday's Free-Agent Deals Should Give Us All the Information We Need About the Chris Paddack Market

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Why would we want to trade for a mediocre player to block the pathway for our rookie class? 

Why do we want to keep a mediocre pitcher to block the pathway for our rookie class? The rookie pitchers in AAA (Festa, Matthews, Morris, Raya) have a lot more potential than the rookie OF/1B types (Helman, Keirsey, Gasper, Martin). I'd much rather start the season with Festa in the rotation and Andujar in the OF than I would with Paddack in the rotation and Austin Martin in the OF.

[bean5302]

23 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Why would we want to trade for a mediocre player to block the pathway for our rookie class? 

Agree wholeheartedly with @DJL44

Twins dump payroll, a player they really don't want on the roster, and get semi-reliable protection against Miranda flopping. The Twins have zero 1B depth beyond a 29 year old MiLB journeyman named Mickey Gasper. I suppose Edouard Julien could be considered for a 1B role, too, but last year wasn't exactly inspiring.

[Fatbat]

21 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Why do we want to keep a mediocre pitcher to block the pathway for our rookie class? The rookie pitchers in AAA (Festa, Matthews, Morris, Raya) have a lot more potential than the rookie OF/1B types (Helman, Keirsey, Gasper, Martin). I'd much rather start the season with Festa in the rotation and Andujar in the OF than I would with Paddack in the rotation and Austin Martin in the OF.

Paddack in the bullpen doesn’t block anyone 

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Paddack in the bullpen doesn’t block anyone 

The Twins aren't big fans of $7.5M relief pitchers. Paddack in the bullpen means some combination of

a) losing Ronny Henriquez on waivers (out of options)

b) optioning Topa and/or Alcala to the minors

c) no lefty in the bullpen

d) returning Eiberson Castellano to the Phillies

[Fatbat]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

The Twins aren't big fans of $7.5M relief pitchers. Paddack in the bullpen means some combination of

a) losing Ronny Henriquez on waivers (out of options)

b) optioning Topa and/or Alcala to the minors

c) no lefty in the bullpen

d) returning Eiberson Castellano to the Phillies

Assuming everyone is healthy and that is zero % chance 

[bean5302]

6 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Paddack in the bullpen doesn’t block anyone 

Correct. Ronny Henriquez is pretty fringe so losing him is no biggie. Of course, I'm more concerned about Paddack blocking Twins wins from happening.

[Fatbat]

RH is in our bullpen in ‘25 and he should be solid. Does anyone really think the new owners care if Paddack is getting 4M or 7.5M and if he is a SP or RP?  When they look at the market, what is a 29yo that will be pitching his 2nd full year back from his last TJ surgery worth? Yes, ‘24 was disappointing but we aren't playing that season again.  Spring training is a few weeks away and we will likely see a better, deeper pitching staff and Paddack will be right in the middle of it. 

[DJL44]

On 1/11/2025 at 6:13 PM, Fatbat said:

Assuming everyone is healthy and that is zero % chance 

If everyone is healthy, two of those things will happen even with Paddack in the rotation.

[KirbyDome89]

4 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Is it worth it to trade him for nothing so the Pohlads can save $7M+ or the Twins can snag Manuel Margot again?

If trading him facilitates and actual improvement of the team, by all means trade him. I don't believe at all that that's the case, though. I think trading him leads, at best, to another 1-year vet platoon bat that won't be cut no matter how much they struggle or a washed-up reliever that wouldn't do any better than Paddack but will cost less so the Pohlads save a little money. I'd rather have Paddack. 7 mil doesn't buy you anything useful.

This club, as currently constructed, is capped as far as payroll is concerned. They might even be over the "right sized amount," with half the roster receiving a raise. $7M won't buy you much, but if it means this team isn't looking to shed salary elsewhere I'd be more than happy to send Paddack on his way.