The Detroit Tigers are expected to trade for a bullpen arm and are willing to target the top relievers.
As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Detroit Tigers' top need is clear: they need to bring in a new back-end reliever. But the question remains of how far the Tigers will go at the deadline.
Will they target one of the top arms on the market, or will they settle for a rental that's a much cheaper option? According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Tigers are expected to add to their bullpen and are willing to go after the top names on the market.
"Detroit wants to shore up the back end of its bullpen and isn't against nibbling for value on bigger pieces." Olney writes.
If the Tigers are willing to go after some of the top names, Detroit could be in the market for some incredible relievers. Mason Miller of the Athletics, Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Pete Fairbanks of the Tampa Bay Rays are names the Tigers could go after.
Miller is one of the most electric relievers in the game, while Bednar and Helsley are two-time All-Stars with great stuff near the end of their deals, although Bednar is under control through 2026.
MORE: Tigers contacted Pirates about 2.37 ERA two-time All-Star closer
Fairbanks is another interesting name to watch, as the closer has a 2.75 ERA and could be a great option in the bullpen for Detroit. Any of these four would be good trade targets for the Tigers, each sitting atop the market.
While they've completed a trade with the Minnesota Twins for Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak already, Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax aren't likely candidates for the Tigers to target at the deadline.
If Detroit does decide to go big at the deadline for a top reliever, the team might look to land one of these four relievers. With the struggles of Tommy Kahnle and uncertainty with the rest of the bullpen, adding a top reliever would be a huge boost to the team.
Olney's report is a good sign that the Tigers are willing to invest in the team, looking to land one of the top relievers on the market. Bullepn is the Tigers' top need, and this report suggests the team is willing to spend to land one of the top options on the market.
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Category: Baseball
