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Motor City Trade Radar: Who the Tigers Should Target at the Deadline

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The Detroit Tigers currently hold the best record in baseball at 59-35, looking to reach the ALCS for the first time since 2013. Coincidentally, the five All-Stars the Tigers are sending (McKinstry , Greene , Skubal , Torres , and Báez ) are the most since 2013 as well. This is a team possibly destined for a World Series appearance that needs some additional help to complete the mission. The trade deadline offers a golden opportunity for a great team to become a dominant powerhouse. Here are three potential trade candidates for the Detroit Tigers.

Potential Targets for the Detroit Tigers at the Trade Deadline

Kenley Jansen (CP, LAA)

Jul 7, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels are in an interesting spot, as they are only 3 1/2 games back of the third wild card spot, but not too many around the league consider this a deep playoff team. Kenley Jansen signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the team this past offseason, and he’s been pretty solid for the team. Jansen has 15 saves this season with a respectable 3.58 ERA and 1.194 WHIP. Not only that, he carries a ton of postseason experience from his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves.

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The Tigers do have one of the best bullpen ERAs in baseball, but you can never have too much help in the bullpen, especially come October. Will Vest has been a lockdown closer, and Tommy Kahnle has done a great job holding games in the eighth inning, but it is not fair to consistently depend on those two. Adding Jansen to the bullpen allows the team to have another dependable arm that is capable of holding and closing games. Given the fact that he’s on a one-year deal, the Tigers would not have to give up a whole lot to secure the 37-year-old closer.

Zac Gallen (SP, ARI)

It remains unknown which direction the Arizona Diamondbacks will take at this upcoming deadline, but they certainly have to entertain offers given their position in the NL West standings. After a very underwhelming start to the season, Zac Gallen has turned it around with back-to-back amazing starts against the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. The 29-year-old right-hander is a free agent after this season, making him an intriguing option for playoff teams looking to buy.

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Although Gallen will be a free agent, the price tag on him will still be expensive. Now the question becomes whether or not the Tigers are willing to dangle some of their intriguing top prospects. They will most likely not have to give up Max Clark, Kevin McGonigle, or Josue Briceño, but Thayron Liranzo and Troy Melton could be a possibility.

The Tigers’ starting pitching staff is fine with or without a trade, but it wouldn’t hurt to add reinforcements. Reese Olson and Casey Mize have plenty of upside, but we have yet to see them playoff-tested. While Gallen is hardly playoff-tested himself, he is a polished veteran in this league.

Kyle Finnegan (CP, WSH)

Similar to Jansen, Kyle Finnegan would provide much-needed insurance for the best team in baseball. He has been spectacular this season with the Washington Nationals, carrying a 2.43 ERA and 1.080 WHIP with 18 saves. The 33-year-old is a free agent after this season, making it entirely possible the Tigers can get him for cheaper. While he doesn’t carry the best analytical numbers, the Tigers could find a way to get an even better Kyle Finnegan in the Motor City.

After a poor month to begin the season, it has been hard to find a handful of relievers better than Kyle Finnegan. Having a combination of Will Vest and Finnegan universally makes the game “over” for opponents by the seventh inning. Looking ahead to who the Tigers could be potentially matched up with in the World Series, the team could use all the help it can get in the backend of the bullpen.

Strictly Business

The Detroit Tigers will have to make some tough decisions at the end of the month, with the trade deadline set for July 31st at 6 pm EST. The famous saying is ‘prospects for parades’, and while the Tigers might not need to depart from some of their top prospects, they will need to evaluate which ones they are willing to part with this season. Given the state of the American League, there is no better time than now to be as aggressive as possible at the trade deadline.

 

Main Photo Credit: © Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

The post Motor City Trade Radar: Who the Tigers Should Target at the Deadline appeared first on Last Word On Baseball .