Dream Deadline Scenarios for the Detroit Tigers
The Top 5 Trade Deadline Deals to Help Bring a World Series Back to Detroit
We’re a little over a month out from the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline on July 31st at 6 pm ET. A time of pure chaos and mixed emotions as teams frantically decide whether they are buyers or sellers based on their postseason chances with two months to go in the regular season. For the first time in about a decade, the Detroit Tigers find themselves as buyers as they sit atop the American League with the best record. In the following, I plan to detail my top 5 hypothetical deadline acquisitions that would improve the Tigers chances at winning a World Series this season.
The Tigers biggest needs are at 3B, RP, SP, and OF.
5. Ryan McMahon (COL - 3B) and Jhoan Duran (MIN - RP)
The least likely to get done, given the Tigers would need to make a trade with two separate teams and one being a division rival. However, McMahon and Duran would fill two of Detroit’s positional needs. McMahon is a solid, consistent power bat to insert into the lineup (four straight seasons of at least 20 HR). He walks at an above average rate and plays solid defense. McMahon would add depth to an already solid lineup with his strong quality of contact from the left side of the plate.
Duran is the piece that would make this scenario difficult to pull off. Trading intra-division is always hard. A top closer in baseball over the past few seasons with more than 10 K/9 and better than a 2.76 xERA each of his four MLB seasons. He’d warrant a substantial return but would give the Tigers that lockdown bullpen arm they desperately need to close out games.
4. Nolan Arenado (STL - 3B) and Ryan Helsley (STL - RP)
Sensing a theme yet? Another trade that would fill the void at 3B and add a top bullpen arm for Detroit. Nolan Arenado is not what he used to be in terms of power but he’s still rarely strikes out (10.2%) and plays gold glove caliber defense. He wouldn’t be the star of the Tigers lineup, but Detroit doesn’t need him to be. I think he’d slot in nicely as an every day bat that Hinch wouldn’t have to worry about down the stretch. The one difficulty being Arenado’s no trade clause — meaning he’d have to waive that and agree to come to Detroit.
Ryan Helsley led the league in saves last season with 49 and is up to 15 this season. His K/9 and BB/9 rates are similar, he’s just giving up more HRs the first half of this season compared to last. Moving to a pitcher’s park like Comeria would minimize that risk to a degree, so he’s a worthwhile trade target for the Tigers at the deadline. If Arenado waives his no trade clause, then Detroit needs to go all in and add Helsley to the deal in order to fill two holes in their roster at once.
3. Cedric Mullins (BAL - OF) and Felix Bautista (BAL - RP)
The Tigers have a strong outfield rotation as it stands with Greene, Meadows, Perez, and Carpenter but Cedric Mullins provides another bench bat or defensive replacement. Having that adds value as Detroit desires to make a deep postseason run. Mullins gives a good balance of power and speed that the Tigers need. A 30 HR / 30 SB guy back in 2021 who’s pacing for 24 HR / 16 SB this season would be valuable for the Tigers to add.
Felix Bautista missed the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery and started off 2025 slow because of it. Well he’s looked like his former dominant self as of late. A 12.87 K/9 with a 2.93 xERA over 28.2 IP so far. A late bloomer for the Orioles (debuted at 27), but a bullpen arm that could really help lockdown those close games for the Tigers down the stretch and into the postseason.
2. Eugenio Suarez (ARI - 3B) and Merrill Kelly (ARI - SP)
Eugenio Suarez has been a great power hitter for several seasons now and although at age 33, he has his highest single season wRC+ of his career. His 25 HRs are only 5 off his season total from 2024. Suarez began his career with Detroit, so a homecoming might sweeten the deal. He’s also in a contract year and with the D-backs battling injuries in an extremely competitive division, it’s wise for them to capitalize on his value while they can and trade him to a contender. Suarez would provide a great source of power in the middle of the Tigers lineup, while also filling the void at the hot corner.
Merrill Kelly is a veteran that would help eat innings down the stretch for the Tigers. In 2022-2023 he posted back to back seasons with 175+ IP and better than a 3.40 ERA. Last season was filled with injuries but in 98.0 IP so far this season, he has a 3.49 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 100 SO. The stuff on his pitches isn’t going to blow you away but his changeup generates a 36.9 Whiff% with a Run Value of 8, according to Baseball Savant. Starting pitching depth is imperative for a deep run in the postseason and a seasoned arm like Kelly would be just what the Tigers are looking for.
1. Alex Bregman (BOS - 3B) and Aroldis Chapman (BOS - RP)
This one will be controversial given how the offseason played out between Alex Bregman and Detroit. There were rumors swelling that Bregman simply didn’t pick the Tigers because he didn’t want to play in Detroit. Now that the Tigers are sitting in first place in the AL, I bet feelings have changed. Bregman’s player opt out in his contract makes it a possibility. Reuniting with his old manager, AJ Hinch, has some draw also. Bregman’s patient approach and ability to pull the ball (30.1 Pull AIR%) allow him to maximize his success at the plate. Not to mention, his above average defense at a position the Tigers need to fill.
Chapman has been there and done that. He’s been a trade deadline target of contending teams for years and always produces down the stretch. He still throws 100+ mph and generates a 38.1 K%. Another lockdown closer option for the Tigers to add to the backend of the bullpen.
Summary
The Detroit Tigers have not been on the “buyers” side of the MLB trade deadline in quite some time. This season they have the best record in the American League, lots of young, controllable talent, and the best pitcher in the sport. No better time to make a run at the World Series by adding a player or two to strengthen the weak spots in the current roster. I am looking forward to watching this Tigers season unfold and see which newcomers join the team post-deadline to make an impact.
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