Twins trade starting pitchers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak to Detroit for catching prospect

No more wondering whether the Twins are buying or selling at this week’s trade deadline. They emphatically declared their intentions on Monday, dealing away their leader in games started this season, making their injury-related shortage of effective starters significantly worse.

Chris Paddack, the 29-year-old righthander who will reach free agency in November, was traded to the Detroit Tigers three days before the deadline, along with journeyman Randy Dobnak. The deal brings Enrique Jimenez, a 19-year-old catcher still in rookie ball, to Minnesota, but more important, saves the Twins about $3.5 million in payroll over the season’s final two months.

“Rumors are rumors until it happens,” Paddack said as he prepared to leave Target Field before Monday night’s game against the Red Sox. “The world just got twisted upside down to say the least.

“I was really pulling for, hoping we’d make some moves and go get that wild-card spot.”

Instead, the Twins, who entered Monday owning the 12th-best record in the American League, have made it clear they are willing to shed impending free agents — they have five more — in order to further stock their farm system, and save some money, too. Christian Vázquez, Willi Castro, Harrison Bader, Ty France and Danny Coulombe are the others who might not be Twins by the end of the week, and the Twins reportedly have been contacted about relievers Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart as well.

“It feels good to be wanted. It felt good for the Twins to come after me in free agency, so it feels good to be mentioned in [rumors] at the deadline,” Bader said. “There’s a long way to go, so I’m excited for every ounce of opportunity that comes my way, regardless of what uniform that might be in.”

The deal leaves the Twins with two vacancies in their starting rotation, with only Joe Ryan, Zebby Matthews and Monday’s starter, Simeon Woods Richardson, currently healthy, though Bailey Ober could return by the end of the week.

Jimenez, who was ranked as the No. 17 prospect in the Tigers’ farm system by Baseball America, was batting .250 with six homers and 32 RBI in 48 games in the Florida complex league. A switch hitter, Jimenez signed with the Tigers for $1.25 million out of Venezuela in 2023.

Paddack was traded to the Twins in April 2022, along with Emilio Pagán, in a deal with the San Diego Padres for Brent Rooker and Taylor Rogers. Paddack underwent Tommy John surgery, the second of his career, a little more than a month later; before the season ended, he signed a three-year, $12.5 million contract extension with the club.

He was able to pitch in relief near the end of the 2023 season as the Twins made the playoffs.

“The Twins gave me an opportunity [after] my second Tommy John that I’ll never forget,” Paddack said. “They signed me to an extension, three-year deal on a guy that you know you’re flipping a coin with. You don’t know what you’re getting back ... and the fact that I was able to contribute in ’23 when we had our little fun run was great.”

In four seasons with the Twins, Paddack tallied a 10-14 record and 4.88 ERA in 226 innings, and made a team-high 21 starts this year.

“Just crazy how fast it can turn around,” Paddack said. “I got a whole house to pack. I got to figure out my truck and boat situation, and be able to say farewell and goodbye to some really good teammates.”

The Tigers are in first place in the American League Central and face the Twins, in Detroit, next week. Depending upon when he makes his debut for Detroit, Paddack could face his teammates in just a few days.

“That’s good part of the trade,” Paddack said. “You want to go to a team that wants you, going to a team that’s competing for division, that came off a fun little run last year.”