San Diego Padres: Chris Paddack Seeks Redemption
By Ben Fadden
San Diego Padres ace Chris Paddack is seeking redemption for the first time against the team who traded him 3-years ago.
Chris Paddack was making his way through the minor leagues in the Miami Marlins system when he was suddenly traded on June 30, 2016, to the San Diego Padres for All-Star closer Fernando Rodney.
Rodney was having a stellar season with a 0.31 ERA while Paddack was in Double-A with a 48:2 strikeout to walk ratio.
Miami was holding a Wild Card spot and still had José Fernández, 2017 MVP Giancarlo Stanton, outfielder Marcell Ozuna, speedy second basemen Dee Gordon, and of course defending MVP Christian Yelich.
Miami believed they were one piece away and that piece was Rodney.
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Rodney was in San Diego for the All-Star Game as a Marlin but he never pitched like one when he arrived in South Florida.
He only allowed 1 ER in San Diego but gave up 24 in 36.2 innings with a 5.89 ERA.
The 2016 Marlins did not make the postseason and are in full rebuild mode after new ownership including Derek Jeter came in.
Chris Paddack, on the other hand, has developed into the Padres ace. He was put on the Opening Day roster after having an amazing Spring Training.
He has continued to excel in the majors, as he has a 2.84 ERA and is looking to headline what will be the best rotation in baseball in the future.
Paddack will make is his first start after the All-Star break against a Marlins team that is full of inexperienced players that are coming from the minor leagues so he should not have a problem pitching against his former team.
Miami has already played the San Diego Padres this season in San Diego, but Paddack did not pitch.
But this is Paddack’s opportunity to make the Marlins regret sending him to San Diego when he could have been their All-Star pitcher.
Miami already regrets the trade but after Paddack’s performance, they will regret it even more.
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