Prospects are like currency. You can stockpile them, develop them, project on them, but eventually, if you want to upgrade your Major League roster, you have to be willing to spend. That doesn’t mean recklessly emptying the farm system. It means understanding when the right opportunity aligns with your competitive window.
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Detroit Tigers are approaching the trade deadline as serious contenders. Also, for the first time in even a longer time, the Tigers have an actual farm system of value. Kevin McGonigle is number one on Keith Law’s and Baseball Prospectus’s lists, Max Clark is right there with him, and Josue Briceno is handling Erie fine so far.
According to The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen and Detroit Free Press beat writer Evan Petzold, the Tigers are sticking to their identity: controlled, long-term thinking. They’re not shopping Max Clark or any of their other top-100 prospects. They’re not interested in short-term rentals for the sake of it. Instead, Detroit is expected to make subtle, targeted upgrades, especially in the bullpen, and potentially shuffle pieces to clear looming 40-man roster pressure.
President of baseball operations Scott Harris has said the team will “try to be pragmatic.” With a top-10 offense and rotation, but a bullpen ERA ranked 24th in MLB, there’s a clear focal point for improvement.
Here are three potential directions the Tigers could go before the 6 p.m. ET deadline on July 31.
1. The Surgical Strike: Fortify the Bullpen With Control and Stuff
This is the clearest, most expected outcome. As Stavenhagen noted, the Tigers rank dead last in whiff rate among AL bullpens—a fatal flaw in October baseball. Petzold echoed that Detroit’s front office is zeroed in on leverage arms who can miss bats, but without paying premium prices.
Top Target: David Bednar (Pirates)
A logical fit and one of the few closers potentially available. He brings playoff-level intensity, a mid-90s fastball, and a devastating curve. He’s also under team control through 2026. The problem? Pittsburgh’s ask will be steep, and Detroit may not want to move MLB-ready bats like Jace Jung or Justyn-Henry Malloy.
Value Target: Jake Bird (Rockies)
Bird has quietly been one of Colorado’s most durable and effective relievers over the past two seasons. His sinker-slider combo induces weak contact and he’s under team control through 2029. While the Rockies aren’t known for making smart trades, Bird fits Detroit’s profile: affordable, controllable, undervalued. Plus, they just traded Ryan McMahon to the Yankees on Friday, so perhaps they are willing to listen.
Mid-tier Option: Phil Maton (Cardinals)
Maton, with a 30% strikeout rate, is a known playoff commodity. He isn’t flashy, but he’s reliable in leverage and could likely be acquired for a mid-level prospect. He also has a crazy, good extension, something the Tigers seem to also like in their pitchers.
Phil Maton’s 3Ks in the 11th…and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/T1sEcAD3EJ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 21, 2025
Dark Horse: Jimmy Herget (Rockies)
Herget’s funky delivery and prior success make him an intriguing low-cost flier if Detroit wants to stretch its dollars across multiple additions. Detroit has seemed to love pitchers with this type of profile. See Chase Lee, Tyler Mattison in Double-A. 1.23 ERA away from the band box known as Coors Field.
Jimmy “The Human Glitch” Herget, Wicked Breaking Balls. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/CKB3iUXFNb
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 4, 2025
Other arms to consider: RHP Lake Bachar-Miami (K per 9 of 9.5) RHP Pierce Johnson-Atlanta
Potential Trade Chips:
The Tigers have several players where there is a log jam of sorts:
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Max Anderson (2B)
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Chris Meyers (1B/OF): Since his batting stance change as noted by the broadcasting team of Greg Gania and Sam Lebowitz in Erie, Meyers has hit .328/.397/576 with a wRC+ of 183. He isn’t the big prospect name, but there is a team out there that could use his position versatility.
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Tyler Mattison (RP, coming back from injury)
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Jace Jung (3B/2B)
Expect Harris to try to flip some of these for controllable bullpen help.
2. The Tweaker Trade: Low-Cost Bat, High Impact on Flexibility
Detroit’s offense ranks 7th in OPS. That might surprise casual fans, but the Tigers have embraced matchup-based hitting and platoon-friendly construction. Still, both Petzold and Stavenhagen raised questions about how sustainable that approach is come October. Chris and I have talked about the outfield depth
Old Friend Fit: Willi Castro (Twins)
The switch-hitting utility man is a low-strikeout, multi-positional chess piece. Castro could play second, third, or outfield and would give A.J. Hinch more flexibility with Colt Keith, Zach McKinstry, and Kerry Carpenter. Best of all, he wouldn’t require a top-20 prospect.
Low-Risk Depth: Marco Luciano (Giants)
Luciano’s numbers don’t jump off the page in Triple-A, but he’s a former top-100 prospect with athleticism, positional versatility, and a live bat. As a throw-in or buy-low flyer, he’s the kind of player Detroit could stash in the outfield or keep on the bench for matchup value. He wouldn’t be the centerpiece of any deal, but as part of a broader deadline strategy, he fits the mold of an under-the-radar upgrade.
Other Options:
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Randal Grichuk (Arizona): Power bat with platoon value but less defensive versatility
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Internal: Hao-Yu Lee: Right-handed bat, but he still strikes out too much, could need another year in Toledo. JHM will probably get some consideration since he is on the 40-man roster. Kevin McGonigle, as big league as he looks, the Tigers are in no rush to bring him up now.
Why Not Suárez?
Eugenio Suárez is on a 45-homer pace and could anchor the middle of Detroit’s lineup. But, as Stavenhagen outlined, his high strikeout rate (26.4%) and full-time third base profile would disrupt Detroit’s matchup model. Petzold added that such a move would clog up DH at-bats for Colt Keith and reduce flexibility with McKinstry, Pérez, and Carpenter.
Unless Arizona drastically lowers the asking price, the Tigers will likely pass, but fans want this trade badly. He said he would love to come home. The Reds have been rumored, but, this would be one move that could work in Detroit’s favor. It’s bold and it fits what they need the most, right-handed power.
3. The Calculated Risk: Adding a Starter for Stability
The rotation appears stable—but is it October-ready? Skubal is the Game 1 ace. But after that, questions abound:
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Can Reese Olson or Casey Mize be trusted in Game 2?
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Will José Urquidy return in time and be effective?
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Is Jack Flaherty playoff-reliable?
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Is Troy Melton ready after a shaky debut?
Stavenhagen noted that Detroit hasn’t shown urgency in acquiring a starter. But with so much uncertainty beyond Skubal, one could argue that’s a blind spot.
Underrated Fit: Michael Soroka (Nationals)
Soroka has quietly posted a solid ERA and FIP since returning to full strength in June. He’s a low-cost rental with postseason experience, ideal for a team like Detroit that doesn’t want to move premium prospects but needs innings and poise.
Big Swing: Mitch Keller or Edward Cabrera
Both have team control and tantalizing stuff. But both would require a massive haul. Stavenhagen made it clear the Tigers aren’t going near that price range unless it’s for someone who fits long-term. Don’t count on it.
Creative Option:
Harris could add a swingman and push someone like Sawyer Gipson-Long to the bullpen, bolstering two areas at once. Detroit did this last year with Sean Guenther and Brieske, and the same approach could work again.
Final Thoughts: What Detroit Is—and Isn’t—Willing to Do
According to Stavenhagen, the Tigers are at a crossroads: “This is the ultimate test of how much they value their roster.” Evan Petzold emphasized that the front office won’t be rattled by a 10-of-11 skid. They believe in their identity, and they’re not interested in a Dombrowski-style splurge.
Most Likely Outcome:
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One to two relievers acquired
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Possibly a utility bat like Willi Castro
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Internal promotions: Drew Sommers, Tyler Mattison
Less Likely, But Possible:
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Michael Soroka or a similar mid-rotation starter
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Trading Rule 5-eligible fringe prospects or guys who are stuck in the system to manage the 40-man roster
Unlikely:
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Suárez or any bat that limits flexibility (But to me, this makes the most sense)
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Deals involving Max Clark, Jace Jung, or top-100 names
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Blockbuster deals with AL Central rivals (e.g., Clase, Duran, Hayes)
The Tigers aren’t aiming for a short-term jolt, they’re betting that strategic depth wins out. Will it be enough to survive October?
We’re about to find out.
Chris Brown 
Jerry McKennan