Breaking MLB Trade: Twins & Tigers Swing Surprising Intra-Divisional Trade

The Detroit Tigers have made their first additions as we approach Thursday's trade deadline, adding a couple of pitchers, for the rotation and the bullpen, nabbing Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins.

Tigers reportedly acquire RHP Chris Paddack from Twins for a Minor League player, per multiple reports including @MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/7TwtJq23FJ
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2025

The Twins are reportedly acquiring Tigers No. 14 prospect, catcher Enrique Jimenez in exchange.

Paddack, 29, is a free agent at season's end, and has had a middling season for Minnesota, with a 4.95 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, and an 83:27 strikeout to walk ratio 111 innings in 21 starts. In his seven-year MLB career, he has a 4.49 ERA in 103 starts.

He had a sensational rookie season for the San Diego Padres in 2019, with a 3.33 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a .204 batting average against. But that was six years and two Tommy John surgeries ago. He's trying to fight his way back to being a reliable starter.

The Tigers had been desperate for another starter, and their rotation needs became even more profound on Monday with the announcement that right-hander Reese Olson will miss the rest of the regular season due to a shoulder strain. Paddack will slot into the 4th spot in the rotation behind Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize.

Dobnak, 30, has spent his season in the minors with Triple-A St. Paul, with a woeful 7.12 ERA and an equally meager 42:35 strikeout to walk ratio over 60⅔ innings in 17 games (both as a starter and a reliever).

In his career, Dobnak has appeared in the majors in parts of five seasons in small doses, compiling a 4.86 ERA over 140 innings.

As for Jimenez, he was the Tigers’ top signing in the 2022-23 international period for $1,250,000. The 19-year-old catcher is currently at Rookie Ball.