Chris Paddack’s season has taken a sharp turn overseas, and the former Twins right-hander is making it count in the KBO.
After bouncing through three MLB clubs in 2025, Paddack landed with the Samsung Lions in July and has looked far more settled in Korea than he ever did this year in the majors. The 30-year-old signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Miami Marlins over the offseason after being acquired by the Detroit Tigers from Minnesota ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, but that arrangement didn’t last long. Miami designated him for assignment in early May, and once he cleared waivers, the Marlins released him.
From there, the carousel kept spinning. Paddack signed with the Cincinnati Reds, only to be designated for assignment and released after about a month. He then joined the Texas Rangers, appeared in one game, and was DFA'd again before electing free agency and heading to the KBO.
The change of scenery has clearly suited him. In 10 starts for Samsung, Paddack has delivered a 2.93 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP and 65 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings. That’s a huge step up from his numbers across his three MLB stops this season, where he put up a 6.79 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP over 57 innings.
Paddack, known as the "Sheriff," also looks positioned for meaningful games down the stretch. Samsung’s regular season wraps up on Oct. 7, and the Lions currently sit second in the KBO standings at 77-52. With the league’s top five teams advancing to the postseason, Paddack could wind up pitching in some big spots.
There’s also a path back to MLB if this run continues. If he keeps dealing and helps Samsung make a deep playoff push, a return to the majors could follow.
Still, given the rough year he’s had in MLB, he may choose to stay overseas a little longer before trying to come back. The looming lockout adds another wrinkle, too, since it could cancel MLB games next year, if not the whole season.
If Paddack waits until 2027 to return, he’d likely be looking at a minor-league deal. Another strong year in the KBO would give him a much better chance at landing a major-league contract.
Paddack first reached the majors with the San Diego Padres in 2019. San Diego later dealt him to the Twins right before the 2022 season in a trade that also included Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagán and Brent Rooker.
Injuries limited his time in Minnesota early on, and his results in 2024 and 2025 never really stabilized. Across his MLB career, Paddack owns a 4.83 ERA in 638 2/3 innings.
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