Why the New York Mets nixed the Chris Paddack deal

It turns out that there is at least one team that was not surprised that Chris Paddack needed Tommy John surgery. The New York Mets had an inkling that something may not have been right.

Paddack was expected to land in New York as the Mets and Padres had engaged in talks for several days. In fact, things had progressed to the point where it seemed inevitable that Paddack would be a part of the Mets Opening Day rotation, another intriguing arm to help fill out the staff. Then the deal fell apart, leading to his trade to Minnesota.

The reason why the New York Mets walked away from Chris Paddack

Now the truth can be told as to why. According to Jon Heyman, the reason that the deal fell apart is that the Mets did not trust something in Paddack’s medicals raised red flags to the organization. That trade, which would have sent Paddack, Eric Hosmer, and Emilio Pagan to the Mets for Dominic Smith, was jettisoned as the front office did not feel it would be worthwhile should Paddack miss more than a year.

It turns out that they were right on the money. Paddack is likely going to be out until the middle of 2023 as he will need Tommy John surgery. That is the best case scenario, as any setbacks could push him back to 2024 in terms of availability.

Paddack had performed relatively well for the Twins before he was sidelined. He may have had a 4.03 ERA in his 22.1 innings, but his 1.70 FIP was far more indicative of the start he had put together on the year. Likewise, he had posted a 1.209 WHiP, striking out 20 batters and issuing just two walks without allowing a homer.

Those numbers would have been perfect in the middle of the Mets’ rotation. Paddack had seemed to be a perfect fit as well – a younger arm with multiple years of team control, which was something they needed. Instead, the Mets look smart for walking away, trusting their medical staff that his medicals were not worth the risk.

The New York Mets suddenly walked away from acquiring Chris Paddack. Now that he is injured, the truth has come out as to why that trade failed.