10:33am: The Padres are receiving $6.6MM from the Twins, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. That effectively reduces Rogers’ $7.3MM salary to the new $700K league minimum.
10:00am: The Twins saved one more move in their whirlwind offseason for what was scheduled to be Opening Day (before said opener was pushed back to Friday due to weather). Minnesota announced Thursday the acquisition of right-handed starter Chris Paddack and righty reliever Emilio Pagan in exchange for closer Taylor Rogers and first baseman/outfielder Brent Rooker. The Twins will also receive a player to be named later and will send cash to San Diego in the deal. The Padres have also announced the trade.
Minnesota is acquiring a pair of arms under club control for multiple seasons, as Paddack, who is earning $2.25MM in 2021 is only in his first season of arbitration eligibility. He’s controlled through the 2024 campaign. Pagan, meanwhile, is earning $2.3MM this season and is controlled through 2023 via arbitration. Rogers, 31, is set to earn $7.3MM this season in his final year of club control before reaching free agency. Rooker, 27, doesn’t yet have a full year of Major League service and is controllable through the 2027 season.
The 26-year-old Paddack and his three remaining seasons of club control headline the trade for Minnesota. The 2015 eight-rounder broke out as one of the sport’s top 100 prospects heading into the 2019 season and delivered on that hype when he posted a 3.33 ERA with a 26.9% strikeout rate and just a 5.5% walk rate through 140 2/3 innings as a rookie. At that point, Paddack looked like a cornerstone piece for the Friars, and any near-term trade involving him would’ve seemed nearly impossible to fathom.
Paddack, however, has been unable to repeat that brilliant rookie performance. His 2020 campaign resulted in a 4.73 ERA in with a diminished 23.7% strikeout rate. He still worked a “full” slate of 12 starts and 59 innings during the shortened 2020 season, but the results and the underlying metrics weren’t nearly as strong as his 2019 debut. Paddack’s 2021 season represented an even further step back; in 108 1/3 innings, he pitched to a 5.07 ERA with a career-low 21.6% strikeout rate. More concerning, though, was the fact that he ended the season with a low-grade tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.
The Twins are likely convinced that Paddack’s elbow is healthy enough to rely on him as a rotation piece not only in 2022 but for the next several seasons. If that’s the case, they’ll focus their work with Paddack on further developing a third pitch to help him recapture his 2019 form. Paddack averaged 94.9 mph on his fastball last season and has been lauded for his plus changeup since his prospect days, but his curveball has been a below-average pitch for him at the big league level. If the Twins are able to help Paddack establish that third pitch, it stands to reason that his heater and changeup can trend closer to their 2019 effectiveness. There’s potential for a (second) breakout with Paddack, particularly given that his command has remained elite even through his 2020-21 struggles. The extent to which Minnesota can refine that third pitch (or develop an entirely new one) will be telling.
Minnesota is also picking up two years of control over the 30-year-old Pagan — another 2019 standout (with the Rays) who has had harder luck in San Diego. Acquired by the Padres on the heels of a 2.31 ERA with a dominant 36% strikeout rate and 4.9% walk rate in 2019, Pagan hasn’t been nearly as effective since being shipped to southern California. In 85 1/3 innings with the Friars, he posted a 4.75 ERA with a 26.3% strikeout rate and 7.7% walk rate. Pagan has always been homer-prone, but that flaw ratcheted up to new levels in 2021 when he yielded an average of 2.27 long balls per nine frames.
Despite his recent struggles, however, Pagan has above-average strikeout rates and velocity. And, like Paddack, his command has been nothing short of outstanding (with the exception of the shortened 2020 season). He’s walked just 6.2% of his opponents at the big league level and has yielded only a .210 batting average and .264 on-base percentage in his career. A penchant for serving up home runs has been Pagan’s only real blemish, but if the Twins can clean up that issue — as the Rays did in 2019 and the Mariners did in 2017 — they’ll have a closing-caliber reliever on their hands for the next two seasons.
Coaxing a high-level performance out of Pagan will be all the more crucial for the Twins, as this morning’s trade sends their closer and one of the best left-handed relievers in all of baseball to San Diego. The 31-year-old Rogers has been a triumph in terms of player development for Minnesota, blossoming from a fairly nondescript back-of-the-rotation prospect to a late-inning buzzsaw who has overpowered opponents dating back to the 2018 season.
Rogers, whose twin brother Tyler pitches for his new division rival in San Francisco, added a slider to his repertoire back in 2018 — first debuting the pitch on Memorial Day weekend that year. The change in his results was stunning. Carrying a 5.48 ERA at the time, Rogers pitched to a 1.34 ERA for the remainder of the season and whiffed 57 hitters in 47 innings. There’s been no looking back for him, either. Since debuting that devastating breaking ball on May 31, 2018, Rogers has posted a 2.58 ERA (2.54 SIERA) with a massive 32.5% strikeout rate, a tiny 4.6% walk rate and a hearty 48% grounder rate. He’s been one of the absolute best relievers in MLB during that span, racking up 50 saves and, in 2021, making his first All-Star team.
Dominant as Rogers has been, however, he isn’t without his own medical concerns. The lefty’s 2021 drew to an abrupt close when he exited his appearance on July 26 with discomfort in his left middle finger. It was eventually determined that Rogers had a damaged ligament in his pitching hand. As the Twins are with Paddack, San Diego is clearly banking on the belief that Rogers is healthy and able to bounce back to his typical form. If that’s indeed the case, they’ll be able to turn leads over to one of the game’s more effective relievers for the 2022 season before Rogers reaches free agency in the offseason.
Rooker is the fourth known piece of the deal at this time and gives the Padres a power-hitting corner outfield option who has yet to piece things together at the MLB level. Selected with the No. 35 overall pick back in 2017, the former Mississippi State star breezed through the minor leagues, hitting .263/.359/.516 while showing off his plus raw power. Rooker’s bat will need to carry him at the MLB level, however, as he’s a college first baseman who the Twins tried rather unsuccessfully as a left fielder (-6 Defensive Runs Saved, -4 Outs Above Average, -9.7 UZR/150 in 268 career innings).
Rooker has a pair of minor league options remaining and isn’t necessarily an immediate fix to the Padres’ corner outfield woes. He’ll give them an option there, at first base and at designated hitter — one who has light-tower power but also one who has punched out in 32.1% of his 234 big league plate appearances (against just a 6.4% walk rate). The 6’3″, 225-pound Rooker gives San Diego an intriguing power bat but also something of a project, as he’s already 27 years of age and hasn’t yet proven that he can handle big league pitching. Given his lack of defensive value, it’s paramount for the Padres that they put the finishing touches on the development of Rooker’s bat.
The Twins have been on the hunt for starting pitching all winter, and while they didn’t add the marquee name many fans hoped, they’ve now acquired both Paddack and Sonny Gray while also signing Chris Archer and Dylan Bundy. That quartet will join rookie Opening Day starter Joe Ryan and under-the-radar sophomore Bailey Ober in comprising Minnesota’s main group of starters, but the Twins also have plenty of well-regarded prospects on the horizon. Jordan Balazovic, Josh Winder, Simeon Woods Richardson, Matt Canterino and Cole Sands are all getting close to the big leagues and could debut at some point in 2022.
As for the Padres, they’ll deal from a position of depth in order to strengthen the back end of their bullpen. Paddack has been a regular in the San Diego rotation for the past three seasons but was largely nudged out of the frame by a series of high-profile trade acquisitions. The Friars have added Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Mike Clevinger and, most recently, Sean Manaea over the past year-plus, and they also signed righty Nick Martinez to a four-year deal this winter. Add in young arms like MacKenzie Gore, Ryan Weathers and Adrian Morejon (who’ll return from Tommy John surgery later this season), and it’s easy to see why they felt comfortable moving Paddack. It’s certainly a risk to sell low on a starter with his upside, but the Friars are adding one of the game’s more successful relievers and clearly have sufficient rotation depth to make a move of this nature.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Kevin Acee and Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported last night that the two teams were discussing trade scenarios involving Paddack and Rogers. ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported this morning that a Paddack/Rogers trade was happening. Rosenthal reported that Pagan was in the deal, and The Athletic’s Dennis Lin first reported Rooker’s inclusion. La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune added that the Twins will receive a PTBNL, and Dan Hayes of The Athletic tweeted that Minnesota was including some cash in the swap.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
SDFriars
Padres gave up too soon on Chris.
Libpwnr
Dude has 2 so-so pitches, and refuses to work on a 3rd.
SDFriars
Actually he has a third pitch and its the location and movement on his fastball that has been his downfall. He used to have the ability to pinpoint location with his pitches and he lost all command. His curveball is a passable third pitch and has made improvement in commanding it.
deweybelongsinthehall
It should be interesting about many “National League” pitchers with a full-time DH.
StlSwifty
So who’s gonna be the closer in SD?
RunDMC
SD – Suarez (RH) /Rogers (LH) with Lamet an outside chance? Similar to SF (Doval, McGee) & ATL (Jansen, Will Smith).
MIN – Who is closing in MIN with them trading away Rogers?
Duffey, Jhoan Duran, Pagan?
Perksy
For Fantasy purposes?
jim stem
Jorge Alcala should eventually be the closer. It wouldn’t shock me to see Archer back there at some point, either.
PLTuna
SD – Rogers
Min – Pagan
They swapped closers and the Twins got a starting pitcher that will slot in behind Gray. Padres got a power hitting OF.
Seems like a win-win.
PLTuna
Only thing I don’t understand is the Padres taking on more salary.
Brew88
Yes they’re over $230 mil threshold now…
Billy Baroo
The Twins send money to cover (at least some of) the difference between Rogers and P+P.
Once you’re over the luxury tax threshold, no reason to hold back.
StlSwifty
Exactly lol
PLTuna
They just updated the article and the Twins are paying $6.6 million of Rogers salary. Padres are just paying major league minimum.
That makes much more sense now.
ntorsky
First, his change-up is filthy when it’s on, and it’s on more often than it’s not. Second, yes his curveball needs some work but it’s far from being a bad pitch. He only throws it 12% of the time (compared to 62% fastball and 26% change) so maybe mixing it up a bit more would do wonders.
CNichols
It’s more like one really good pitch (change up) and then one sometimes good pitch (fastball) and then one below average pitch (curveball).
His curve looked a lot better last year, but his fastball wasn’t as good. I’m not sure why, but the fastball hasn’t been the same lately and that’s really what’s been the problem.
Billy Baroo
The FB seemed a little quicker last year but even straighter, and it was too straight before.
Paddack spent a chunk of 2021 injured (elbow), too. After already getting TJ earlier in his career, that may make him even less likely to commit to the curve..
bigjonempire
His command is a big part of his pitch quality. When he had command all his pitches look much better.
PLTuna
Sticky stuff?
Sheep8
I am sure you have been in those meetings and in the bullpen when you saw these refusals..thanks for sharing the intel with us!
THE downvoter
Htrab: umm, before you pop off with speculation, know this: part of the Rays pitching philosphy, and why they have been so good, is pitch what you pitch well. If he is a 2 pitch pitcher, throw 2 pitches. Case in point: Glasnow.
lady1959
Thx pitching coach htrab⚾️
dadofdonnydownvote
Twinkies are going for it. I’m impressed.
padresfan111323
He’s been with the over 3 years and they have at least 3 other big league caliber arms to fill his spot. I think they’re fine.
VonPurpleHayes
I agree. This is a low-return for someone with Paddack’s potential.
Rsox
They got a good Reliever and another Outfielder. Rogers is the obvious get but Rooker may factor in to the Left Field debacle Preller currently has. They didn’t get rid of Hosmer in the deal but it seems like they made out better than in the proposed Mets deal.
The Twins are certainly interesting. Paddack, Gray, Bundy, Archer, not sure how many Twins fans thought that would be the team’s starting rotation when the offseason began
Gus Leggett
I think this is a signal that Bundy just became a bullpen long reliever. I am pretty sure that Twins would rather have Ryan and Ober starting over Bundy. But then again, the “Twins way” has always been to grab reclamation projects, so not very surprised on the Bundy and archer signings and the trade for Paddock.
phantomofdb
Twins giving up one of the few decent arms they actually have. Not totally understanding why they’d include him over prospects
allweatherfan
Because he’s a FA after this season.
stymeedone
So is Correa, so this is the year to play for! Now they don’t have a closer.
Rsox
@stymeedone
Correa has guaranteed money on the table in Minnesota if he wants it. It will be all of the same teams that didn’t sign him this past winter that he is going to be dealing with next winter.
stymeedone
LAD may not have Turner. Boston won’t have Bogaerts. Houston and NYY may find this years plans did not work out. And Boras is his agent.
He may stay and work out an extension, but if I’m the Twins, I wouldn’t be banking on it.
Rsox
Boston signed Trevor Story as the contingency plan if Bogaerts leaves. I’m not sold at all that the Dodgers would bring in Correra. Still a lot of players from that ’17 team with the club and if you’ve noticed they haven’t signed anyone that played for Houston during that time. The Yankees will absolutely find that this year’s plan didn’t work and then go and do the exact same thing next year. If Cashman actually opens the checkbook it will be for Judge
DogDays2
“The Yankees will absolutely find this years plan didn’t work”
Let’s hear why…
Hammerin' Hank
They have plenty of good relievers who can close if needed. Pagan, Duffey, Alcala, Duran, etc.
Poster formerly known as . . .
“Still a lot of players from that ’17 team with the club and if you’ve noticed they haven’t signed anyone that played for Houston during that time.”
If you’re talking about the Dodgers, Tyler White played for the 2017 Astros and the 2019 Dodgers.
Roll
““The Yankees will absolutely find this years plan didn’t work”
Let’s hear why…”
because they are basically hoping on the same thing as last year just moved where they improved and became worse to different positions
torres was a bad defender but good bat … kiner is a good defender but poor bat
Ushela was great defender ok to poor bat … donaldson is a good bat ok defense
sanchez atleast had some power and ok catcher … higgy is good defender no bat same with the guy they acquired
revolving door at 2b between djl and odor etc but now is stable with torres there which is an improved bat hopefully
1b was a revolving door due to injury between djl volt and whoever else they threw there, rizzo is atleast a stable bat
counting on hicks to play even half a season is a wonder
putting stanton in the of on a regular basis (i think they said 2 times a week) with judge in cf puts bats in the lineup but both are injury prone and without them there is no offense last year this worked out since they didnt get hurt
overall the only improvement is you have a stable 1st base and better bat at 2nd while losing pop at c. You also lost 4th of defense in gardner (hate him or love him he was there but agree its time to cut cord) Pitchers really didnt change and you are hoping a lot of growth on the young kids which was one of the biggest issues last season. I am also not fond of how much pressure volpe is gonna have on him and have a feeling he may falter. “Next Jeter,” NY Media, passed on one of the best SS market, Hopefully i am wrong but it seems they are heading in with same plan just moved a little. please let me know if i am wrong on anything i said above as i am not as close to the yankees.
Rsox
Tyler White was a minor leaguer passing through AAA and Houston and how much he knew or was involved in is probably miniscule at best.
On the flip side, since he hit .045 as a Dodger maybe he needed the trash can. Point is he was minor league filler not one of the star players
GOAT Closer Esteban Yan
Lol @ Sanchez being an “okay catcher.”
deej
Sanchez is not a MLB catcher lol
Redwolves3
May see some Taylor – Tyler Rogers match ups since both will be in NL West.
PLTuna
Would they be 1st identical twins to face each other in a game?
Rsox
Which ironically will not be in Minnesota.
If(when?) They play against eachother yes they will be the first set of identical twins to play against eachother.
TommyLasutton
this might be the only reason i regret the DH… now we won’t ACTUALLY see a twin go up against his twin .
tonyhoag
I think a lefty relief pitching under previous rules is about as rare as you’ll get. The odds of that happening is less than the team moving the DH to a position, hence losing the DH.
phantomofdb
Seeing the other details of the trade, they replaced him with a worse reliever with only one extra year of control
puhl
While part of me feels the same way, the Twins now have two pitchers with years of control. They obviously feel they can get Paddock headed in the right direction. They better be right though because Rogers was an elite lefty out of the pen. Pagan has closed before but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Duran get an opportunity there.
Mystery Team
Headed in the right direction? Lol he’s gotten worse gradually so I’m not sure how the Twins see him getting better. I feel like the Twins could have and should have done better. Not to mention the UCL tear from the end of 2021. Dude could go at any time. Don’t understand why teams were interested in Paddack, just because someone is young and comes with some years of control doesn’t mean they’re worth it. I saw him pitch last year and really didn’t see anything that made me think he was going to be a good MLB pitcher. I’m sure SD is happy to get rid of him and they got the better player in the deal.
Hammerin' Hank
No they didn’t. All relievers are basically pitchers who aren’t good enough to start. Paddack is the most talented pitcher in the trade. Plus Rogers is a free agent next winter.
Ha-Seong Kim
So’long Sheriff.
Brew88
Hello Gore
geg42
Rogers twins square off in the west!
geg42
No Hosmer? No Myers?
kleppy12
No, the Twins wouldn’t take either of those contracts.
geg42
Of course not. I jest
LordD99
Never jest about Hosmer when Padres fans are reading.
PLTuna
The Twins were never asked to take on either of those contracts. Neither player was discussed according to MLB Network. This deal has been about Taylor for the Padres from the start.
Deleted Userr
Paddack isn’t enough to get the Twins to take either of those dudes
Mystery Team
In order for the Twins to take Hosmer Preller’s first born would have to be included in the deal.
TommyLasutton
that’s not enough. preller’s first born can’t hit
CJML
Hosmer is a replacement level player owed 60 million dollars. They are going to have to eat a massive of amount of money and hurt a little or it’s going to hurt a lot to dump him.
solaris602
Hosmer’s presence on that roster is the only thing keeping Preller from throwing even more money indescriminately at other marginal free agents. If there was no luxury tax he’d have a payroll north of $400M.
Milwaukee-2208
“Hosmer to Mets for Alonso and Scherzer” John Heyman reports.
More to come
Ha-Seong Kim
We can get more than that for our all star, World Series winner, gold glove 1b
lloyd_christmas
how about a few baseball cards, a sack of marbles and Petey?
Riontyler
You want to give our dead bird to a blind kid???!!!
Larry Brown's crank
Petey?? You sold my dead parakeet to a blind kid? Petey didn’t even have a head!!
fivepoundbass
Pretty bird. Polly want a cracker?
metsgolf
A waste of typing.
hockeyjohn
The Twins didn’t have starting pitching before the trade, and they still don’t now. Two pitch Paddack will get lit up in the American League.
vikefansbc
You understand that the NL has the DH now, right?
hockeyjohn
Obviously, Paddack was already lit up in the NL without the DH.
Mystery Team
He got lit up in the NL.
Dorothy_Mantooth
Good deal for both teams. San Diego gets their established closer while Minnesota gets a young arm who has had some success in the minors already and a potential replacement for Rogers as well. I would assume that the Twins are sending another player over to SD as part of this deal as well. (At the time of this post, not all deal details were available).
Moneyballer
This is bad for twins, total theft for the padres.
User 3663041837
A dime a dozen bat in Rooker and a good reliever on an expiring contract for a controllable pitcher and another reliever seems like a good deal.
Mystery Team
Once again controllable does not mean good it just means you’re now stuck with a crap pitcher.
Moneyballer
If Brent Rooker is really in this trade, I hate HATE this trade for Minnesota. WTF! Paddack throws a meatball high fastball that keeps getting blasted. Twins must feel they can fix him but I would not have traded Rooker alone for Paddack. This one smells bad!
jbigz12
Rooker is a 27 year old rookie. Not that a guy can’t be a late bloomer but he wasn’t particularly great last season.
With larnach, Austin Martin, and Kirilloff as OF options—I’m not sure there was an easy path to PT for him in Min. Pitching is desperately needed and Paddack has the potential to be a very solid 3.
Moneyballer
Rooker can hit, big power. This was more a commentary on Paddack. He’s been dreadful the last two seasons. Im with you that Rooker is pretty blocked but he’s still a usable bat for a team needing one and what exactly did we get in return? A guy who gets shelled everytime he takes the hill? Pass.
Hammerin' Hank
Rooker is 27 years old already. He’s probably not going to have a very long MLB career. He was just a throw-in here. The Twins won this trade. Starting pitchers are more valuable than relievers, especially one who’ll be a free agent in November.
ZeusMacalester
What are you smoking? The Twins were potentially about to try to sneak Rooker through waivers in order to keep Kyle Garlick on the 28 man roster. If you wouldn’t trade Rooker for Paddack then you don’t know anything.
Moneyballer
Paddack is trash. I guess getting trash is better than nothing to you.
outinleftfield
What does that say about the Twins pitching that Paddack is now the 2nd best pitcher in their rotation?
Hammerin' Hank
Rooker’s a bum. Paddack is way more valuable.
Deleted Userr
Not sure how I feel about this.
Ha-Seong Kim
Padres got ripped taken out back but just ridding paddack has to be Worth a few BTV “points” lol
Deleted Userr
Getting rid of a guy who is still in arb will never be a positive on BTV or in real life. Best case scenario it’s a wash.
CNichols
Pagan is still “in arb” and BTV has him at zero. (Not that I really buy into that site)
Your whole theory about arb players completely ignores that for a good amount of players their salaries in arb rise to the point that the players end up being non-tendered. By definition these guys have no surplus value once their salary is factored in because teams are just willing to give up their control and let the players go.
If he pitches like he did last year again, Pagan is like a prime non-tender candidate. It’s possible he develops negative value this year and then getting rid of him, by non-tendering him, would be a real life positive.
PLTuna
What percentage of arbitration eligible players were non-tendered this year? 5%? 2%? It wasn’t very many.
jbigz12
The non tenders are skewed by those at the bottom also. Competent ML SP’s don’t typically get non tendered.
It’s typically your utility guys/ bottom of the roster relievers who are considered to be replaceable or non premium D power hitters that the arb system deems more valuable than market.
A guy like Rooker is a potential non tender into his later arb years— given his power profile and non premium defense.
Deleted Userr
Yeah. It has him at zero. Means the Padres could have theoretically taken it or left it wrt to tendering him. My point is a player who is still in arb can’t have negative trade value. He’d be non-tendered before it got to that point.
outinleftfield
39 of 435.
Brew88
I think the Pads saw Paddack and Pagan in ST and concluded that they are still as they were last year – which wasn’t pretty. It’s possible that Paddack turns things around, but he needs time in back in minors, and Twins won’t likely give him that.
Ha-Seong Kim
I wasn’t high on either—but to trade both for one year of a reliever seems a bit steep.
Brew88
Pagan looks lost though, and everyone lost patience in Paddack. His star was once rising. It’s really unfortunate and in many ways this trade is a sad outcome.
Billy Baroo
Rooker’s minor league OPS, if you exclude 2 games in the Rookie League in 2019, is 906. He seems to be a typical LF defensively.
He was only slightly better than Profar last year as a major leaguer. But he has the tools to be a starting LF on a good club, or a valuable part of a platoon.
Brew88
Looks like some serious power in his bat, 74 HRs in 1100 ABs, also a lot of Ks.
Billy Baroo
Yep, plenty of strikeouts, but a decent number of walks too.
I’m not convinced he’ll be a starting-caliber LF on a playoff club. But I know for sure Profar ain’t.
Brew88
Yeah, it’s OD and LF remains the glaring weakness.
outinleftfield
I think what the Padres saw was Gore being the pitcher they always thought he would be.
FullMontilla
check back in when you get a handle on your emotions Legendary
Deleted Userr
BTV says Twins win by $8.3m.
Holy Cow!
With the cash thrown in, probably closer to $2-3MM with the PTBNL going to the Twins.
DMC511
Heard Rooker is going to SD as well
One Bite Hotdog
You know who would have been a good pitcher for the Twins? José Berríos.
roiste
I mean yes, but they got a GREAT return for Berrios. Hard to complain when you get that kind of package coming back
Astros2017&22Champs
They got a great prospect return. You are simply assuming those prospects will be legit major leaguers. Berrios is a surefire major league pitcher. Only reason i believe the twins traded him is he was on record saying he wanted to test free agency and they didnt want to lose him for qo pick.
Jal179
Austin Martin will be a bench utility guy at best.
HalosHeavenJJ
Great point
Baldkid
You do know that Berrios said he would test free agency and would NOT resign with the Twins, correct?
krumbledkookie
I know the Twins want to cut payroll but Rogers is very good while Paddack is… not. Makes little sense for a team that wants to compete and and probably will.
DT.J.B.
Aging reliever who wasn’t lights out. I’m never going to be upset about moving a relief pitcher with expiring contract.
Asfan0780
Rogers turned 31 last December, pagan turns 31 in May. Are they both in the aging category?
DT.J.B.
Yes, but one is under team control for longer than 2022 and the deal wasn’t Pagan for Rodgers
solaris602
The ONLY reason I declare MIN the winners in this trade is because they didn’t acquire Hosmer.
ZeusMacalester
They didn’t cut payroll. They paid the Padres $6.6MM.
nutznboltz
Paddack was great his first year except against the Dudgers. Paddack lost his confidence somewhere along the line. He also pitches with a lot of emotion and the covid year,with no fans, was rumored to affect his success along with him maybe tipping his pitches. I also heard that he could only throw his fastball for strikes above the belt so a high pitch was automatically seen as a fastball and low pitches as change-ups.
nutznboltz
It could be any of the above or all in the above. Who knows.
LordD99
So does Rogers become the Padres closer? I don’t know their bullpen depth. I suspect the Twins may use a committee until someone steps forward.
junkmale
I think the general feel is that Duran is destined to be the closer by summer.
Brew88
Suarez was the lead candidate to close for Pads, but I think they will give the 9th to Rogers now, based upon his MLB experience.
CNichols
It’s probably primarily Rogers, but maybe they go off splits a little bit with him being left handed.
If they’re facing strong lefty hitters in the 8th, I think you can use Rogers early and then pivot to Suarez, or maybe eventually Lamet, to take the 9th.
Brew88
Agreed. Melvin likes a pure closer but Rogers being a lefty sure opens up a lot of options in combo with Suarez (and maybe Lamet)
mlb1225
And now, Pagan goes to his 5th team in 6 seasons. Maybe my Pirates can swoop in and pick him up next off season.
kc38
I remember when Rays fans lost their minds when they traded Pagan after being our best reliever for a year. And they continue to prove how superior they are to other teams
LordD99
I declare this to be false. The clue was when you referenced “Rays fans.”
alwaysgo4two
Implying that there are none, or is it just another case of Rays envy? How they do with so little $$$? Btw……the comment is not getting old, it’s been there.
Yankee Clipper
“ How they do with so little $$$?”
Answer: They use the revenue sharing money from the Yankees to fund their payroll – then they get extra picks for being special, and restock their system after they sell high on prospects so they don’t have to pay them. It’s a scheme…one they should have to pay for on their own.
kc38
So funding their $75 mil payroll… I don’t understand. It’s still a $75m payroll and they still beat the $250m Yankees. Who cares where the money comes from? They get an extra pick but their picks are also bad because they finish so well…. It’s not a scheme it’s a strategy that anyone can do instead of overpaying old players who produce less. The Yankees have every right to field a $80m payroll and stock their farm and draft just like everyone else
THE downvoter
Yankee Clipper: OBVIOUSLY, you are another uninformed, loud mouth yankee fan that speaks before knowing fact 1. 100% of your implied statement is wrong.
Envy is an ugly trait. Your momma must be so proud.
kc38
That was hilarious, I got a stomach cramp from laughing so hard.
stymeedone
Up until they signed Correa, the Twins did not appear to be playing for this year. Boras offered them Correa, because they were never a team that would consider doing a long term contract, unless he had played for them and impressed. Its still unlikely, but it does keep all the large market teams in play for next winter. Unfortunately, Correa’s late addition gave them no time and little opportunity to put together a plan for this year. Trading a proven closer for future years of control, is not a win now move. It would be funny to see Correa demand a trade. Before this they had problems in the rotation. Now they have problems in both the rotation and the bullpen. Well done!
LordD99
It’s a good deal if Paddock can resemble his rookie form. They likely feel they can replace Rogers’ production spread across multiple arms. I don’t love the deal, but if I squint, I can see the rationale.
DT.J.B.
I’m happy to see ehat Duran can do, maybe he will have a little more confidence then Rodgers out there.
ohyeadam
It’s robbing Peter to pay Paul
The Saber-toothed Superfife
You guys ALL BELONG IN JAIL! Think you have the right to break God’s Commandments? You are ruining this country with your selfishness. Why are you guys trying to start WW III?
Do you think it’s funny?
I guess lying about other people is your best skill.
PLTuna
Why would Correa demand a trade. He is getting paid $35 million and can opt out after the season and be a FA at 27 with no other SS on the market.
You didn’t think he was really planning to stay beyond 2022, did you?
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Twins will be in ot orm they will trade him to a team who is.
Correa got.an opportunity to showcase his value.
That’s what it is was all about.
stymeedone
He wouldnt. But it would be funny!
phantomofdb
Nobody with any logic thinks he’ll stay, which is why the twins should be going all in this year. But instead they are signing guys like chichi rodriguez and trading all star closers for “guys with control.”
They are either lost and have no sense of direction and making random moves, or they don’t even plan to keep Correa past the trade deadline and they are just hoodwinking their fans. There’s really no 3rd option.
99socalfrc
Is Preller desperate to save his job? He sure is bringing in a lot of players that will do the Padres no good after this year
fred-3
He actually is. Been there since 2015 and the Padres have been mostly trash.
99socalfrc
I was asking in hopes that ownership is finally holding his feet to the fire.
Smelly_Cobb
IDK, Papa Pete (owner) gave an interview the other day saying Preller’s job is as safe as any other GM in the league
HalosHeavenJJ
If the Twins are in a division or wild card race this summer or is usually easier to acquire bullpen arms than starters.
Of course their coaching staff better be able to right Paddack for that to happen.
CubsWin108
Per Bob Nightendale here’s the FULL TRADE!
trade, updated trade is this:
Padres receive: RP Taylor Rodgers from MIN
Twins receive: SP Chris Paddack from SD, RP Emilo Pagan and RP Joe Kelly from white sox
Blue Jays receive: SS Marcus Semien from Rangers, Jose Ramirez from CLE
Rangers receive: RP Jordan Romano from Blue Jays
White Sox receive: vending machine from MIN
Lakers receive: 2024, 2025 1st round picks from LAR
Mariners receive: C Russel Wrestbrook from LA
Braves receive: LAD’s 2020 winners of 60-game season Trophy and cash
Yankees receive: James Harden from PHL, SP Frankie Montas from OAK
A’s receive: 4 Soda Machines fulled stocked from Yankees, Random trashcan from Astros
Dodgers receive: Freddy Freeman’s ice cream machine due to a clause in his contract that without it he’ll receive a opt-out in 2 years without having it
Rams receive: QB LeBron James from Lakers, Goalie Robin Lehner from Golden Knigts
O’s receive: SS Caros Correa from MIN
Golden Knights receive: 2026, 2027 1st round pick from LAR.
Brew88
What about Hope Solo?
Lloyd Emerson
You must have a lot of free time on your hands.
bobtillman
Bob Nightengale just confirmed that exact trade. And Mark DeRosa also confirmed for the network.
bobtillman
Oh, and NFL Network says Baker Mayfield is part of the deal.
The Saber-toothed Superfife
As usual, Al Avila doesn’t get squat….
Todd Kemmerer
Not sure why the rush or pressure to trade paddock. Does peeler think he has peaked and no room for him in rotat
Brew88
Ultimately I think they lost confidence in him and decided to fill a need (closer) rather than send him back to minors to figure things out. Return of Clevinger, acquisitions of Manaea and Martinez, reemergence of Gore, and promise of Weathers and Morejon also factor into decision I would think.
Deleted Userr
Who’s paddock?
johndietz
This looks like a trade, just to make a trade. What was the point of this?
Paul Griggs
Stupisstupidstupidstupid move by the Twins. They weakened a shaky bullpen by trading a lefty closer for a SP pitcher that is worse than any of the starters they already have. If they give up anything else, it’s even worse. This is the dumbest thing I’ve seen the Twins do in ages. What in the world are they thinking?!
Astros2017&22Champs
You are assuming they wont move paddack to the pen if he fails as a starter. Then they have 2 relievers with multiple years on control instead of 1 reliever who is a free agent. I dont think people realize how important low salary guys with years of control are.
ohyeadam
I’ll take quality>quantity with extra years any year and twice a year when I’ve got Correa, BANG!!, for said season
PLTuna
You are making the mistake of thinking that ERA is the stat teams look at in evaluating pitchers.
Most have their own form of a fielding independent stat that they combine with command to determine a pitcher’s worth.
We don’t have access to their internal stats, but we do have FIP and SO/W ratio.
Those stats show Paddack as being best in FIP and 2nd best in SO/W ratio last season and 2nd best in both over his career.
GinaNCRaysFan
It’s a good trade for the Twins. It’s easier to fill out a bullpen than a rotation. If Paddack can give them 150 league average innings that’ll be worth at least as much as a closer. Assuming their bullpen can stand the loss of Rogers (who is of course really good) this makes the Twins better.
It’s also a good deal for the Padres. They have enough starting pitching to have the luxury of moving Paddack for the closer they think they need, so good deal all around.
Sideline Redwine
Padres needed outfield help, this does not address that.
Billy Baroo
They literally got a LF in this deal. Not a sure-fire beast of a LF, but a youngish hitter, former first rounder, with good minor league production.
ZeusMacalester
Twins fan here. Rooker is nothing more than a desperation LF, particularly in San Diego’s vast confines. He’s a DH/1B bat.
msqboxer
I think both sides lose in this trade. Paddack could have been insurance for that rotation and worked in long relief. Rogers was an affordable closer and being LH served well. Pagan may be the one that swings this trade in Minnies favor.
TuckSD
Sad to see Paddack go
Crunchtime1969
Padres needed a closer. They got one and got rid of two pitchers that will bounce around MLB for a few years. Now they need a first baseman and a corner outfielder. They ain’t done yet
Billy Baroo
They’re not getting a first baseman, unless Preller has blackmail material on another GM. We’ll have to see how Melvin handles Hosmer. Maybe he platoons him right away, with Voit starting against LHP.
Rooker / Beatty / Abrams may be our Ghidorah in LF.
Brew88
Rooker is a better 1B/DH than LF. They experimented with him in LF but he didn’t do well defensively. We’ll see
Billy Baroo
His scouting reports make him seem like a typical LF. Examples:
prospectslive.com/scoutingreports/brent-rooker
minorleagueball.com/2017/5/5/15535616/2017-mlb-dra…
Hoz needs to sit vs all LHP. Melvin may not do it, but he should. Now he can use Voit / Rooker at 1st, the other at DH.
stymeedone
@barely
How about Hosmer for 1B and Myers for OF?
jim stem
Could Paddack have maybe benefitted from raised ball stitches or sticky substances? Or is it more that hitting coaches learned how to approach him?
Gwynning
D. All the above
…and he has a nasty habit of tipping pitches. I hope he finds his way in Minny and I feel he will do better than Pagan up there. Both guys were giving up meatballs in ’21; first instinct says the Pads win this trade but as always it will take years to have true hindsight. I personally hope it’s a win/win. Go Pads!
rodcarew
Work your magic, Wes Johnson!
sisseton
Twins also getting a third player in the deal while sending Padres cash considerations.
DarkSide830
is this really it? feels like a great move for Minnesota.
Brew88
I take it you liked Paddack and Pagan?
Deleted Userr
A reliever on a one year deal and a AAAA outfielder. Twins won’t miss either of those dudes.
Brew88
plus $6.6 million
DarkSide830
cheap young SP is hard to get. Paddack’s a project, but the upside is there, and Pagan for two years is worth more than Rodgers for one, arguably.
ohyeadam
12 years of Paddack and Pagan producing like they have the last 2 years isn’t worth squat
ohyeadam
Ffs, wtf, omg
Twinswanker
It’s almost like Falvey and/or Levine are plants by the other teams in the Central Division/AL.
They make the most ridiculous trades and acquisitions and no one questions them at all. They must have seriously incriminating pictures or documents on the Pohlad family.
They’ve been here for years and not made one attempt to improve the team that’s involved some actual spending – even Donaldson prior & Correa now are one year wonders that do nothing other than put butts in seats for curiosity’s sake.
12 years since we bought them a top flight stadium, and what do we have to show for it? Perennial has-beens and never weres scratching out their careers at our expense.
davemlaw
Rogers vs Rogers. Padre/Giant games are going to be intense this season.
Scutarointherain
Yup. Smart move by the Friars – the Giants’ and Dodgers’ lefties could struggle facing that filthy sidearm stuff.
twins33
I don’t think this is a bad trade but I also don’t think it’s a good trade…
The Twins clearly gave up the best player in the deal but he’s just a reliever on a one year deal. This makes the already questionable BP more questionable.
Paddack had a lot of potential as a prospect and a good rookie year. Since then, he’s been not good. Hoping the Twins see something they can fix and actually fix it. A fan who’s very into (and good at) breaking down mechanics thinks Paddack was trying to throw his FB low in the zone instead of high and it was getting him crushed. If they can fix him he could be really good. The UCL thing scares me though.
I don’t have thoughts on Pagan, except he needs to give up fewer HRs. Rooker, personally I like, but also realize he’s only a DH and it didn’t seem like he was making the 2022 team. Something had to give with him pretty quickly.
I’m not sure how to feel about this but it seems like good value for the Twins for a DH and 1 yr of a reliever. Just a lot has to be fixed on the Twins end.
phantomofdb
It makes zero sense for the Twins. With the cash addition, the Twins are paying the padres to take their all star closer… and the guy coming back has gotten worse each year of his career. Those k/9 and whip rates are not trending in the right direction.
On top of that, why sign Correa to that type of deal and then deal from the bullpen, when your entire pitching core is weak. At best, it’s zero vision and making random moves. More likely, they just plan on trading Correa at the trade deadline and had zero actual intent of contending this year
DT.J.B.
Or they targeted him because the analytics dept sees something in Paddock and you should let the season play out?
twins33
Yeah, that’s what I think too. It may not work out, but all I keep seeing is the analytics and pitching development is worse in SD than in MN. Given how the Twins are at developing (jury still out for this FO imo) that is really saying something.
BigFootsFart
Lolol ewww. Rodgers alone is the best one in the trade. Twins got semi fleeced
Friarguy19
Why did we want Rooker? He’s Voit With less power. Would have been okay with Paddock and Pagan for Taylor, cash and a ptbnl. Wonder if this indicates a pending Hosmer trade.
Billy Baroo
Before this trade, our LF was Profar (poor hitter, mediocre defense). Beatty (mediocre hitter, poor defense), or Abrams (no real experience in the outfield). Voit doesn’t even make the list, he’s no more a LF than Hosmer.
Brew88
I’m not sure Rooker vs Voit is a worthwhile comparison. Rooker hasn’t proven anything yet at ML level, and though he played 1B most of his developmental career, he’s not likely to play there again at ML level. So DH/LF who Ks a lot, but has power similar to Voit and Tatis. But it’s minor league power, light-tower power, just not ML-proven. He walks alot so a better comparison might be Gallo, but with poor defense rather than GG defense. Clearly the Pads are trying to piece together a blend of marginal OFs to serve as LF and back up OF, drawing from Profar, Beaty, Rooker, (Mazara, Thompson also on 40-man), with a sprinkling of Abrams out there… This seems to be the answer until mid-season when I’m guessing they will either make another deadline trade for OF of prominence, or resolve the Tatis/Abrams SS competition permanently by assigning one of them to OF. Meanwhile, let’s hope Profar figures it out at the plate….We’ll learn today who makes the 28-man roster in OF, between Beaty and Rooker. LIkely Beaty and Rooker goes back to AAA
Mario93
Chris Paddack had a fantastic rookie campaign, god only knows why he fell off the map after… I’m guessing injuries played a part. I think the Twins did a good job trading for him, if that arm is healthy, there could definitely be a resurgence there. Padres meanwhile always seem to get these “win now” type of players, doesn’t really work out for them that well.
drasco036
A 95 MPH fastball and a good change up would be a pretty good repertoire for a reliever…
Sky14
Solid trade for the Twins. Rogers is solid but only one year remaining and Rooker is a 27 year old corner OF/1b that I don’t think will hit enough to stick. I’m not super bullish on Paddack but he has control and upside along with Pagan that it seems favorable to to the Twins.
Sfgiants4l
This is a win for the Twins in my book
Goose
Not a bad deal for either team. Beyond performance, Paddack also has a recorded attitude problem. Maybe the change of scenery and some maturity will help. This is not a bad risk for the Twins, even if he flames out.
nutznboltz
Not sure he had a bad attitude, is not very mentally tough. That could have been his biggest problem. He has commented on this before.
Deleted Userr
“Beyond performance, Paddack also has a recorded attitude problem.”
So you’ve played with him before?
Gwynning
“Paddack also has a recorded attitude problem.”
Where might one find these mystical recordings? Inquiring minds want to know, Goose.
He might be a little headstrong (read: confident) and “relentless” but he’s just a normal, nice teammate trying to find his way in the MLB. I hope he finds his way in ’22 for Minny.
VegasSDfan
Padres moved a #5/6 starter and a questionable reliever for a genuine reliever.
Pagan was pretty bad, Paddack was pretty bad 70% of the time.
Good luck to them both, we may have just gotten better.
Moneyballer
Pads got better.
That Baseball Fan
Does the PTBNL have to be someone not on the Padres’ 40 man roster?
twins33
I think a PTBNL has always been a guy off the 40 man, but I’m not sure it “has” to be a guy not on it.
twins33
Saw an update on Twitter, Falvey said it’s a non roster player and the decision will be made in a month or so.
Deleted Userr
The PTBNL can be any player. That’s why they had him named later as opposed to now.
Gwynning
“Any” player from a pre-agreed upon list of (usually) 5 names. Almost always a lower Minors selection, historically speaking. It won’t be anyone currently on the Pads 40 Man.
tonyinsingapore
If you can’t pitch in San Diego, well then. Hmmm….
rememberthecoop
The Fathers seem to have pretty bad luck when it comes to pitcher health. Of course, pitchers get injured at a fairly alarming rate these days anyway so maybe it just seems that way because theyve added so many arms recently.
Enrico Pallazzo
Wow twins got ripped off. Pagan and Paddack both suck in a major way
norcalblue
Seems as if every deal Preller makes is about winning now. Consistently, The man is trading away talent and future assets for immediate results. He is under enormous pressure to overcome an abysmal record of underachievement. This approach has never been sustainable.
Twins see something in Paddack that Padre player development has failed to nurture.
Gwynning
Sayonara Sheriff! Happy trails to both Paddack and Pagan, we wish them well for their new team… and welcome to sea level Rogers & Rooker!
Ducky Buckin Fent
There is a fresh, new coating of snow up here today, @Gwynning. I guess the Twins are hoping Paddack & Pagan can help establish the running game.
Gwynning
Two solid country boys right there… load ’em up with corn and deer back-strap dinners and I’m sure they can Run Block for the Vikings soon! Haha
bravesfan
Seems like a bad deal
ammiel
I thought the Padres were making real efforts to trade guys like Hosmer, Myers and now they acquire Rooker and recently Voit. Like even if Rogers is going to add something to the back of the pen (moreso than Pagan) what do they honestly want with Rooker, what hope has he got of playing time? So essentially its a Paddack and Pagan for Rogers, big win for Minnesota.
Billy Baroo
They have been making a real effort to trade Hosmer, but the cost is way too dang high. Less interested in moving Myers, who’s actually decent and fills a need in the OF.
Rooker’s potentially part of the LF / DH situation. The Padres will find it hard to compete giving a prime offensive spot to Profar+Beatty, and if Hosmer keeps beating balls into the ground, they’ll need to cut his playing time.
Gwynning
-Rooker has 2 option years remaining, enhancing his flexibility to the team.
-1yr of Rogers is a plus/plus over 2yrs of Pagan. This is especially true while Pom is out.
-The Pads improved their 40-man situation. This is true in payroll and roster sense.
-With regards to Hos, it’s go time as a Padre. He’s immovable but he’ll do just fine all year. I hope to see a platoon with Voit.
-In a couple 2, 3 years I hope we all reflect on it as a win/win trade! Really hoping for Paddack to find success in Minny but Pagan is such a nice guy, too. Great cutter, might play better up north in cool air?
MikeD26
The Padres have to sign Conforto if they want to have a chance.
LordD99
Looks like the Padres could have used Rogers tonight.
GarryHarris
I’m not a professional scout but, here’s my take:
Chris Paddack has been injury prone so much he’s the biggest gamble in this trade. He had a great 11 SO : 1 BB but was hit hard in Spring.
Emilio Pagan is prone to serve up the HR. His Spring was awful. I don’t think he” do well at all in MIN.
Brent Rooker didn’t hit like well in MiLB and is as low range defender as there ever was. In 16 ABs this Spring, he scored a R, 2B, 3BB, SB and 5SO. He didn’t make the team as a DH.
Taylor Rogers has been injury prone as well. He had a great Spring and may be the best player of the group.
outinleftfield
Paddack gave up 8 singles and 2 HR in spring training. HRs in spring training in AZ are typically outs in the regular season and both of the ones Paddack gave up were “fence scrapers”. So how was he hit hard? Pagan looked bad in spring training. 8 hits in 5.1 IP with 3 walks. 5 of the 8 hits were XBH including 1 HR.
SportsFan0000
So the Padres get 1 reliever with 1 year of control for a young starter and a reliever?!
AJ Preller even over pays in his deals dumping players..
Pads Fans
If you are wondering why the Padres made this trade, look no further than Suarez and Stammen’s performance in the 9th tonight. Suarez BB, BB, WP, HBP, Gets the hook. Then Stammen WP run scored, HR.
Two pitchers who were expected to lock down the backend of the bullpen gave up 4 runs without recording an out. Not. One. Out.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Well, in weather like it is up here today, you are definitely going to have to run the ball. How’s Paddack in short yardage?
Gwynning
If you cut his mullet then he’ll fall forward for a 1st Down!