Former Twins right-hander Chris Paddack's career hasn't gone well since departing Minnesota at the 2025 trade deadline. After being dealt to Detroit, Paddack finished the 2025 campaign with a 6.32 ERA over 47 innings. Detroit left him off its postseason roster.
After the 2025 season, Paddack signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Miami Marlins. Paddack made only seven appearances with Miami before being designated for assignment and clearing waivers. He then signed with the Cincinnati Reds, who designated Paddack for assignment after he made six appearances for the club. The Texas Rangers then picked him up, but he made only one outing for them before being cut. Rather than signing with another MLB team, Paddack signed with the Korea Baseball Organization's Samsung Lions on July 11.
Obviously, Paddack wishes his year had gone differently. On the bright side, his season ended on a good note, as he helped lead the Lions to a KBO championship.
Ex-Twins RHP Chris Paddack helps lead Samsung Lions to KBO Championship
Paddack started Game 2 of the KBO championship series, allowing one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out three over seven innings as the Lions won 3-2 to even the series. The Lions went on to win the following three games. Paddack earned the save in the clinching Game 5, hurling four scoreless innings with five strikeouts as the Lions won 12-1.
Chris Paddack with a strikeout and the Samsung Lions are the champions of the KBO in 2026! It is their first title in 12 years! Samsung becomes just the third team since 2002 to beat the #1 seed in the Korean Series and did it in dominant fashion pic.twitter.com/phBsZV23aq
— Jeff Duda (@INTLBaseball24) November 8, 2026
Seeing Paddack enthusiastically embrace his teammates after playing a key role in Samsung's KBO championship is heartwarming, especially given the adversity he has faced this year. Paddack still made $4 million+ this year and has over $20 million in career earnings, so it's not like he absolutely needs to extend his playing career, but it's obviously still great to see The Sheriff end a rough season on a good note.
After joining the Lions, Paddack posted a 2.95 ERA with 80 strikeouts and 11 walks in 76 1/3 innings across 13 regular-season appearances (12 starts). In 57 innings with the Marlins, Reds and Rangers, the right-hander posted a poor 6.79 ERA.
Given how well he pitched for the Lions, Paddack should be able to make decent money pitching in the KBO next year. Because of his poor big-league numbers this year and the looming MLB lockout, returning to the KBO would likely be the best thing for Paddack's career. He is only 30, so a return to the majors down the road is still in the cards.
Add us as a preferred source on Google