The trade deadline is one of the more anticipated, exciting days in the entire MLB season. This time around was no different with a multitude of transactions made right up to the 6pm deadline. For the first time in a decade, the Detroit Tigers found themselves as buyers ahead of the deadline. Let’s breakdown the moves they made to try to improve their roster ahead of the postseason push.
Acquired RHP Chris Paddack and RHP Randy Dobnak for C/1B prospect Enrique Jimenez
Paddack (29) has a 4.77 ERA over 117.0 IP this season. He is a veteran starting pitcher that will help fill the void of the lost innings due to Reese Olson’s season ending injury. At 6’5’’, he generates great extension off the mound making his pitches play up. He also has above average control of those pitches, demonstrated by his miniscule 5.5 BB% this season. There’s value in relying on someone to pick up the ball and pitch every 5th day, eating up 4-6 innings a start; and giving the proper rest days for guys like Skubal and Flaherty. His first start in a Tigers uniform came on July 30th vs Arizona. His line from that game: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO. Let’s see what Chris Fetter can get out of Paddack down the stretch.
Randy Dobnak (30) will start in AAA with the Mud Hends but I expect we see him as a long relief option once rosters expand later in the season.
Acquired RHP Rafael Montero for INF prospect Jim Jarvis
Montero (34) has a 5.40 ERA across 38.1 IP in 2025, but a 3.61 xERA. Once an elite bullpen option for the Houston Astros back in 2022, but has since struggled with command (2.4 K-BB% in 2024, 9.6 K-BB% in 2025). He has added a splitter this season that’s now his most used pitch at 47.3% and has generated great results. A .192 BA and .342 SLG with a 35.1 Whiff%. His fastball averages 95 mph but gets crushed (.507 xSLG). If he can increase the ground ball rate and limit the hard contact, there might be something here. I have faith that Fetter can find something in Montero’s profile to maximize his success, even if it’s in short outings out of the pen.
Acquired RHP Paul Sewald for a player to be named later or cash
Sewald (35) has a 4.70 ERA across only 15.1 IP in 2025 and is currently on the IL with a strained shoulder. The Tigers expect him to be back for the stretch run and postseason. Sewald has been a steady bullpen piece for a handful of seasons now. He ranks 10th among all RPs since 2021 in K-BB% at 24.2%. He’s mainly a two pitch pitcher (fastball and sweeper), but both generate great results. A 27% Whiff% on the four seam and a 37.2% Whiff% on the sweeper. Once he comes back healthy, I think the Tigers got a strong back end of the bullpen option to help lockdown games in the postseason.
Acquired RHP Kyle Finnegan for SP prospects Josh Randall and RJ Sales
Finnegan (33) has a 4.38 ERA over 39.0 IP in 2025. Born in Detroit, he’s spent his entire career as a relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals. Finnegan has crossed the 20 save threshold in back-to-back-to-back seasons and has the 3rd most saves among all RPs since 2023. The high leverage experience is there as well as some positive “under the hood” metrics this season. A .243 xBA, .375 xSLG, .303 xwOBA, and a 3.51 xERA are all solid numbers to see. Overall the swing and miss isn’t there, but he generates a 32.6% Whiff% on his splitter and has an above average ground ball rate. Finnegan will be a welcomed addition to the back of the bullpen as the Tigers strive for a deep postseason run.
Acquired RHP Codi Heuer for cash
Heuer (29) has only pitched 1.1 inning in the majors since 2021, so he will be placed in AAA to start his tenure with the Tigers. He had some success in 2021 with the Cubs (a 3.14 ERA over 28.2 IP), so there’s potential but I don’t expect much out of him with the Tigers in 2025.
Acquired RHP Charlie Morton for LHP prospect Micah Ashman
Morton (41) has a 5.42 ERA over 101.1 IP this season. However, since May 10th he has a 3.62 ERA over 69.2 IP. Morton is another arm, like Paddack, that will help eat a lot of innings down the stretch for the Tigers as they set their sights on the postseason. There’s a lot of postseason experience for Morton, a valuable asset for a young ball club. Known for his curveball, his most used pitch, still generates a 33.9% Whiff% with a .236 xBA and .379 xSLG. His four seam still averages 94.2 mph and generates a .201 xBA too. Morton is prone to the long ball, averaging 1.42 HR/9 (MLB average is 0.89), but Comerica Park’s extreme pitcher-friendly dimensions should help minimize some of that. I’m curious to see what changes Fetter makes to utilize the most of Morton’s expiring abilities.
Recap
Tigers Deadline Grade: C
The Tigers biggest needs were a power hitter (preferably right handed), starting pitching, and bullpen help. The front office addressed two of the three needs. Albeit, more inexpensive, less flashy options. Yet, I think there’s still untapped value in some of the pieces acquired. Now that the deadline has passed let’s look forward to the impact each of the new additions will make to help this 2025 Detroit Tigers team towards the finish line.
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Post season review. Pretty sure all of these AAAA RP combined for 1.2 innings combined for the Tigers 2 playoff series.