Is a Chris Paddack reunion the answer for the Padres?

As the 2025 trade deadline looms, the Padres find themselves once again in the thick of a crowded National League playoff race. While big names will dominate headlines, one familiar option stands out for a potential midseason boost — a Chris Paddack Padres reunion. The former fan favorite, once dubbed “The Sheriff,” could offer a low-cost, high-character addition to San Diego’s rotation depth.

A Steady 2025 Showing

Through June 12, Paddack has compiled the following line for Minnesota:

13 GS | 71.1 IP | 3.53 ERA | 1.12 WHIP | 52 K | 15 BB

After a disastrous Opening Day start (3.1 IP, 9 ER), he’s rebounded with 12 starts of 2.27 ERA and sub-1.10 WHIP, including:

• April: 3.00 ERA, 24 IP, 1.29 WHIP

• May: 2.40 ERA, 30 IP, 0.93 WHIP

• June: 1.93 ERA, 14 IP, 0.79 WHIP

He’s gone 7+ innings against playoff-caliber teams like Baltimore and San Francisco, allowing two earned runs or fewer in 9 of his last 12 starts.

What the Metrics Say

Baseball Savant Percentiles (2025):

• 91st – Fastball Run Value

• 82nd – Chase Rate

• 78th – Overall Pitching Run Value

• 69th – Barrel Rate

• 18th – Whiff% % (weak spot)

Paddack doesn’t rely on swing-and-miss stuff but uses a lively 93.6 mph fastball and fading changeup (thrown 24% of the time) to induce soft contact. He lives in the zone, pitches to contact, and limits barrels — especially when ahead in the count.

Poise Under Pressure

Situationally, Paddack has matured:

• RISP WHIP: 0.92

• May/June Combined: 44 IP, 2.25 ERA

• Night Games: 1.99 ERA over 22.2 IP

He’s shown the ability to navigate jams and control innings — no longer just a flamethrower, but a calculated arm.

Postseason Experience: A bonus edge

While many midseason targets lack playoff exposure, Paddack has pitched in two postseason series — one with San Diego (2020) and one with Minnesota (2023):

2023 ALDS vs. Houston:

• 2 G, 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 6 K, 0 BB

He kept the Astros hitless in two high-leverage relief outings. His 14.7 K/9 in the series shows he can dial it up when the lights are brightest.

The fit in San Diego

San Diego’s rotation behind Musgrove and King has wavered. Paddack would offer familiarity, stability, and a seamless transition back into the clubhouse.

Petco Park’s dimensions would help suppress home run damage — his only notable late-inning concern — and his poise under pressure aligns with the Padres’ need for trustworthy innings.

What would a reunion cost?

Paddack’s 2025 Trade Value Snapshot

• Contract: Expiring (free agent after 2025)

• Salary: $2.525 million (affordable for most teams)

• Age: 28

• Performance:

  • 3.53 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 71.1 IP, 52 K, 15 BB (through June 12)

  • Solid bounce-back year, but not dominant

• Injury History: Two Tommy John surgeries (risk factor)

• Team Status: Minnesota is hovering near .500 but may sell expiring contracts for depth

Realistic Cost to Padres

Because Paddack is a rental and not performing at an All-Star level, his trade value is modest. The Twins would likely seek:

One of the following:

• Upper-minors reliever (AAA/AA with MLB potential)

OR

• High-A or AA starter with No. 4–5 upside

OR

• MLB-ready depth arm with limited upside

What it won’t cost:

• No top 10 Padres prospects

• No one on the 40-man roster who’s contributing significantly

• No high-upside lottery tickets (e.g. Leo DeVries, Ethan Salas)

Summary

Paddack would likely cost a reliever or back-end starter in the 15–30 range of the Padres’ system. If Minnesota wants two players, they’d be quantity over quality — think one fringe prospect and one organizational depth piece.

If the Padres can’t get a clear upgrade over Randy Vásquez, Stephen Kolek, or Ryan Bergert, even that might be too much.

Is he even needed?

Despite the above, San Diego already has internal options outperforming Paddack — and they come with zero acquisition cost.

Internal Comparison (as of June 12):

Randy Vásquez

• ERA: 3.57 | WHIP: 1.40

• June ERA: 3.55

• Home: 3.25 | Away: 3.94

• RISP WHIP: 1.50

• Age: 26 | Club Control

Stephen Kolek

• ERA: 3.00 | WHIP: 1.24

• June ERA: 0.00

• Home: 9.58 | Away: 0.85

• RISP WHIP: 1.07

• Age: 28 | Club Control

Ryan Bergert

• ERA: 1.26 | WHIP: 0.98

• June ERA: 1.74

• Home: 0.00 | Away: 1.35

• RISP WHIP: 1.00

• Age: 25 | Club Control

Chris Paddack

• ERA: 3.53 | WHIP: 1.12

• June ERA: 1.93

• Home: 3.03 | Away: 3.96

• RISP WHIP: 0.92

• Age: 28 | Would require trade

Kolek has been dominant on the road, Vásquez is handling a starter’s load, and Bergert has been near untouchable. All are under team control, inexpensive, and growing within the system.

Final Thought

Chris Paddack’s resurgence is a feel-good story — and there’s no doubt he’d help a team somewhere. But for the Padres, the answer is already here.

There’s no need to spend prospect capital for a reunion. The organization that once gave Paddack his shot is now home to a trio of arms who are not only matching his output — but may even be surpassing it.

In this case, nostalgia shouldn’t outweigh practicality.

Data sources: Baseball Savant, Baseball Reference, and Spotrac.

J.J. Rodriguez

J.J. Rodriguez is a passionate sports writer making his debut with East Village Times. Born and raised in Southwest Florida, he is a father of four and an eight-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran who has lived in Southern California since 1996. A devoted fan of the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Florida Gators, J.J. brings a lifetime of sports enthusiasm to his writing. He’s currently pursuing a degree in elementary education and enjoys life as an empty-nester with his wife of 19 years, Lisa.