Needs? It’s relative.
The Tigers are in the top third, mostly in the top quarter, actually, of virtually every significant MLB hitting and pitching category. They don’t steal bases much, but are masters at taking the extra base on batted balls. Their defense has been surprisingly adequate and has been strengthened by the return of glove-master Parker Meadows in center field.
It’s not a coincidence the Tigers have MLB’s best record. Their eight-game cushion is the largest in franchise history after 68 games. At 44-24, they are tied with the 2006 club for the fourth-best record at this juncture of the season behind only the 1984 (50-18), 1909 (45-23) and 1961 (45-23) versions of the Tigers.
Still, there are some cracks in the armor. The Tigers could use another strong bat. Their bullpen has less-than-ideal depth. The left side of the infield is sometimes disconcerting. Will ailing starting pitchers Reese Olson and Jackson Jobe return to full strength?
These are 10 players who could be available and realistic options at the trade deadline to fill the Tigers’ needs.
Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Diamondbacks: The former Tiger, albeit briefly, strikes out a ton and is a below average defender, but his power is prestigious. He's in the last season of an eight-year deal and would be an ideal rental on a number of fronts, including motivation from the enhanced exposure of participating in the postseason. The D-backs are below .500, have lost their $210 million pitcher, Corbin Burnes, to Tommy John surgery, and play in by far the strongest division in MLB.
Aroldis Chapman, RP, Red Sox: At 37, Chapman has reverted to form as an elite high-leverage reliever. His average fastball sits at 99 mph. His WHIP (0.915) is his best since 2020. He's currently wasted on a 32-36 Red Sox team, which is retooling with the MLB arrivals of much-celebrated prospects Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony. Chapman is on a one-year, $10.6 million contract, so he’d be a rental.
Zach Eflin, SP, Orioles: The Orioles’ deadline acquisition last season from Tampa Bay is in the final season of his deal with an $18 million salary. He doesn’t miss that many bats, but is stingy with walks. Eflin can be depended on for five or six solid innings per start. He pitched in 10 postseason games out of the bullpen for the Phillies during their 2022 run to the World Series, finishing five games and picking up a save, so he is versatile.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS, Pirates: Kiner-Falefa, 30, is an excellent defensive shortstop who is pushing .300 with the Pirates on a one-year contract at just $5 million. Undoubtedly, the Pirates had moving him at the trade deadline for prospects in mind when he was acquired. Kiner-Falefa has played third base and center field. His power is minimal and surprisingly, his plate discipline is not good, which the Tigers look at closely. But he has experience in the postseason, and has a 162-game average WAR of 3.0 over a long career mostly because of superior glove work and above-average base running.
Kyle Finnegan, RP, Nationals: A bit of a roller-coaster ride of a closer, Finnegan is ultimately effective. A 33-year-old right-hander, he is better against left-handed hitters than righties. His fastball and splitter are both down a tick in velocity, and Finnegan virtually uses just those two pitches. But at 96 mph on his four-seamer and 87 mph with his splitter, he remains formidable. Finnegan is a free agent after the season and making $6.1 million in ’25.
Ryan McMahon, 3B, Rockies: I know, you’ve heard about McMahon before. Yeah, he’s always sworn he is a diehard Rockie. The team has said they don’t want to trade him. But how much can one player take? Playing on such a garbage team has taken its toll on McMahon’s production, but he still has upside at 30. He is an excellent defensive third baseman. He is signed through 2027 at $12 million this season, and $16 million the next two. On the downside, McMahon has been a much better hitter at Coors Field than the road. His career OPS at home is .822 compared to just .658 on the road.
David Bednar, RP, Pirates: Bednar is nasty with a 97-mph heater and a big curve. He had control issues last season, walking four per nine innings, but has cut that in half in this season. Bednar is arbitration-eligible for one more season in '26 before free agency. His current salary: $5.9 million.
Zac Gallen, SP, Diamondbacks: Gallen is a premier pitcher who's having a poor season at the least opportune time in his walk year as a free agent. He presents many of the same raw metrics he did during his best season in 2023 when he was a key part of Arizona’s unexpected run to the World Series. He has an average MLB fastball in regard to velocity with a high spin rate. His knucklecurve remains lively. The issue is command. His walk rate has doubled to four per nine innings from ’23, and too many of his pitches are hitting the fat part of the strike zone. He is a rental, who could benefit greatly in his next contract at age 29 if he pitches well on a postseason team.
Andrew Heaney, SP, Pirates: On the surface, Heaney is a 90-mph soft-tossing lefty, but much better in reality. He spots his fastball well to set up a plus changeup, which is his out-pitch. He also has a good slider and is crafty. He has a 3.24 ERA this year, although his fielding independent numbers are higher. Heaney pitched well in the postseason with the Dodgers and Rangers in 2022 and 2023 with a 3.86 ERA and a World Series win.
Ramon Urias, 3B, Orioles: At some point, the Orioles are going to have to make a decision to go with highly-regarded prospect Coby Mayo at third base. That will squeeze out Urias, a plus defender who won a Gold Glove in 2022. He has also played extensively at second base and shortstop. A right-handed hitter, Urias will display surprising pop at times. He doesn’t have particularly good plate discipline, though. Urias is arbitration-eligible for the final time in 2026, and moving to the end of his prime at 31.