Blue Jays miss out on another potential rotation upgrade with Paddack dealt to Tigers

The options for the Toronto Blue Jays to upgrade their pitching staff narrow down yet again as the Minnesota Twins have traded Chris Paddack to the Detroit Tigers, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Right-handed pitcher Randy Dobnak is also going to the Tigers in exchange for their number 12 prospect, catcher and first baseman Enrique Jimenez.

Paddack has struggled in 2025, posting a 3-9 record with a 4.95 ERA in 21 starts. He joins a Tigers starting pitching staff that ranks sixth in team ERA in MLB at 3.58. Detroit has struggled in July, particularly after the All-Star break. Since July 18, their starting pitching has a combined ERA of 5.07 with a 1-6 record.

While the Blue Jays weren't directly linked to Paddack, Jays Journal's Bryan Jaeger detailed how the new Tiger fared against the rest of the American League East. At the time of the original writing, Paddack had a 2.88 ERA and had yet to face the Yankees. Today, Paddack posts a 2.86 ERA.

A Paddack acquisition potentially would've aided the Blue Jays' starting rotation, which currently boasts a 4.39 ERA, good for 24th in the Major Leagues. However, since the All-Star break, the starting rotation have found a groove, dropping their ERA to 2.80, fourth in MLB.

As for the Twins' new prospect, Jimenez is slashing .250/.339/.440 with an OPS of .779 in the Florida Coast League. He's hit six home runs and driven in 32 runs, striking out 42 times.

With Paddack off the market, the Blue Jays options continue to dwindle. Late last week, the Kansas City Royals announced they were extending All-Star starter Seth Lugo, another pitcher who the Blue Jays had rumored interest in.

Yesterday, MLB announced Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on paid leave in connection with a MLB sports betting investigation. While Clase wasn't necessarily a Blue Jays target, it does affect the market for relievers - an area the Blue Jays are shopping in.

The MLB Trade deadline is this Thursday.