The Detroit Tigers finished the first half of the 2025 season with the best record in Major League Baseball. At 59-38, they lead the American League Central by 11 1/2 games.
Last year, they were sellers at the trade deadline and later took off in the second half, earning the third American League Wild Card spot. This year will likely be different.
Instead of selling, Detroit will likely add to their club and try to enhance their chances at winning their first World Series title since 1984.
Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut predicted where some of the top trade chips will land before the July 31 deadline. He predicted that Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar would be traded to Detroit.
"The Detroit Tigers have the best record in baseball right now and are going to run away with the AL Central. For as good as this team has been, the Tigers bullpen went into the All-Star Break ranked 21st in ERA (4.13). Help is needed for a postseason run. Enter All-Star closer David Bednar," Johnson wrote.
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Bednar is 2-5 with a 2.53 ERA in 36 appearances with the Pirates. He has also saved 13 games.
The two-time All-Star has even averaged 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings. He would certainly give Detroit a big boost at the back end of their bullpen.
Bednar would give them a much better chance to win a World Series title if acquired. He'll certainly cost a hefty number of top prospects if the Tigers try to acquire him.
However, Detroit has one of the top farm systems in the entire league, and they have the prospects to spare in order to get a deal done.
The 30-year-old closer struggled last year to the tune of a 5.77 ERA. However, he has bounced back this year and re-established himself as one of the game's top closers.
We'll see if the Tigers show interest.
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