"The now-30-year-old Dobnak was a remarkable story back in 2017-19, going from an undrafted free agent playing in a tiny independent league (and driving Uber on the side to make ends meet) to pitching for the Twins in the postseason in less than two years' time. After pitching for Division-II Alderson Broaddus University in his college days, Dobnak signed with the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore League. He started only six games before the Twins caught a look at him and signed him."
"Dobnak was the Twins' minor league pitcher of the year in 2019 after working to a combined 2.07 ERA across 135 innings. He logged a 1.59 ERA in his first nine MLB appearances that season, made the playoff roster, and gave the Twins 10 serviceable starts during the shortened 2020 season. Minnesota signed Dobnak to a five-year, $9.25MM contract in spring 2021. It hasn't panned out, though obviously the financial risk was minimal, particularly given that the contract's three option years bought out three free-agent seasons."
The Tigers declined Dobnak's $6MM club option, triggering a $1MM buyout and free agency. Dobnak arrived with Chris Paddack in the July trade that sent Enrique Jimenez to Minnesota and was included largely to clear salary. He was not on the Tigers' 40-man roster, had been outrighted previously, and never pitched in the majors for Detroit. Dobnak rose from independent-league play and driving Uber to reach the Twins' postseason roster within two years. He posted strong 2019 minor-league numbers and early MLB success, signed a five-year, $9.25MM extension in 2021, then struggled thereafter with high ERAs and limited big-league innings.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]