The Detroit Tigers are expected to pursue relievers at the MLB trade deadline this season. With the team looking to contend for a World Series, the Tigers are also going to target some of the top names who could be available.
After the All-Star break, Tigers insider Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic shared an update on the Tigers' trade deadline plans, in which he not only revealed the team's plan in the bullpen but also two names the Tigers could target.
"The Tigers will likely add a leverage reliever - perhaps more than one - at the trade deadline." Stavenhagen wrote. "Aroldis Chapman and David Bednar are two trendy names."
Of the two, Chapman is the more noteworthy reliever. This season, he's been incredible. Despite being 37 years old and in year 16, Chapman is having a career year.
Through his 41 appearances and 38 innings pitched, Chapman has a 1.18 ERA and a 58-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has 17 saves and is 3-2 on the year.
His 1.18 ERA would be the best mark of his career. Chapman also has a 0.763 WHIP, which would be the lowest in his career. What he's done on the mound this season in Boston is incredible.
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But, even though teams are inquiring, the Red Sox just went on a ten-game winning streak, effectively killing any potential Chapman trades, as the Red Sox are in contention for a postseason spot.
Bednar, on the other hand, is much more likely to be available. He has a 2.53 ERA, 13 saves, 45 strikeouts, and nine walks in 32 innings pitched this season. But, while not as great as Chapman's number, there's a reason he's a top commodity at the deadline.
In the 18 games Bednar has appeared in since May 24th, across 17.1 innings, Bednar has a 0.00 ERA, nine saves, 23 strikeouts, and four walks. He's been dominant for over a month.
While the Pittsburgh Pirates have struggled, Bednar has thrived. He could fetch a nice return, since, unlike Chapman, he's under contract for more than just 2025, with one more year of control in 2026.
Detroit would do well in acquiring either Chapman or Bednar, but of the two, Bednar is the more likely target. He's a solid reliever who's in the middle of a dominant stretch. He'd be a great pickup for the Tigers and is a much more likely trade target than some of the other relievers on the market.
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