The Reds and veteran righty Chris Paddack are in agreement on a contract, reports Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. The Boras Corporation client was released by the Marlins earlier this week after being designated for assignment.
Paddack, 30, signed a one-year, $4MM contract with Miami over the winter but had a short leash after an ugly start to his season. He made just seven appearances (six starts) and was tagged for a 7.63 ERA in 30 2/3 frames. Paddack struggled to work deep into games, completing five frames only once. He struck out a below-average 18.5% of his opponents but notched a characteristically sharp 6.8% walk rate.
Paddack was once a well-regarded prospect who had an outstanding rookie campaign in 2019. He pitched 140 2/3 innings of 3.33 ERA ball for the 2019 Padres — a performance that would make him a Rookie of the Year finalist, if not winner, in just about any other season. He was up against Pete Alonso‘s 53 homers, Michael Soroka‘s 174 2/3 innings of 2.68 ERA ball, and the debut campaigns of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Bryan Reynolds, however, so he wasn’t even on the Rookie of the Year radar despite that stellar debut.
That debut now feels like a distant memory, as Paddack has been set back by injuries at multiple points and has never recaptured his 2019 form. Paddack missed time with a UCL sprain in 2021 and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022. His 2024 season was shortened by a forearm strain. All in all, he’s pitched 471 2/3 innings since that rookie showing and logged a 5.23 ERA. Paddack has good command but hasn’t missed many bats since his rookie season and is far too homer-prone (a daunting trait for any pitcher calling Great American Ball Park his home).
Cincinnati’s rotation is quite banged up at the moment, however. Hunter Greene underwent elbow surgery back in March and is out until midseason. Brandon Williamson was recently placed on the 60-day injured list due to shoulder troubles. Rhett Lowder was just placed on the 15-day IL yesterday due to a shoulder issue of his own. There’s no indication yet that Brady Singer will require an IL stint, but the right-hander took a comebacker off his right foot in yesterday’s game. He stayed in the contest but struggled thereafter, allowing three runs over the next inning-plus before being lifted in the fourth.
The Reds’ in-house depth options have been struggling down in Triple-A. Chase Petty, Jose Franco and Julian Aguiar have all been hit hard, to varying levels. Paddack will add another option for the back of the rotation and do so in affordable fashion. Cincinnati will only owe him the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the big league roster. The Marlins are on the hook for the remainder of this year’s $4MM salary.
lst…This would have been a great signing like 7 years ago.
Strange move by a team who have been getting shelled lately. Not going to get better with this guy.
Also, he gives up HRs like they’re candy so best of luck at GABP…
There is nobody better in AAA but hey thanks for commenting .
I’d rather see if Marcus Stroman has anything left in the tank.
“You must be truly desperate to come to me for help” – Stroman, Paddack, and Loki say in unison
Life in the Big Cincy.
I seem to remember years ago he exchanged some macho verbiage with Noah Syndegaard of the Mets. Neither one of these guys had the career they hoped for.
No trust me don’t sign Stroman . He wouldn’t even give you 5 innings a start.
Retire dude. 2 thomas johnathon surgeries, garbage Miami didnt want you. When awful non-competitive teams dont want you, you know your career is over.
What’s your deal with going to every article and commenting for the player to retire?
Is everything ok in the household?
How the hell does this guy keep getting gigs?
He’s been underwhelming since his rookie year but he fell off a cliff since being traded to Detroit.
Putting Paddack in Cinncinatti is like sending Jenny Cavnar to do the All Star game. Cruel and immoral!
I heard her for the first time when the Braves were playing the A’s.
The Bataan Death March of broadcasting.
Horrendous.
As of now Rhett Lowder is still listed on the Reds’ active roster.
they will probably officially move him on the IL now with this signing….
Ummm Lowder was not put on the IL as of yet….maybe they were just waiting to make this deal?
Somehow, Reds fans think this will be the fault of the Dodgers lol