3 realistic bullpen candidates if Tigers buy at the trade deadline

Every trade deadline rumor that has to do with the Tigers, has to do with Tarik Skubal. We have very little insight on what Detroit's actual strategy might be come Aug. 3. If they end up selling Skubal, more impending free agents will almost certainly follow. If they end up keeping him, they need to be serious buyers to make a real postseason push.

We're talking to you right now, Scott Harris: a repeat of 2025 will not do. It would actually be unacceptable. Just like last year, the Tigers could use some bullpen help, but Harris absolutely cannot do ... whatever it was that he did last season. No Chris Paddacks, no Charlie Mortons, no Paul Sewalds, no Rafael Monteros.

It might cost the Tigers more than Harris is typically comfortable with. They probably still won't go for Aroldis Chapman-tier relievers, and that's fine, but they need to get a little uncomfortable. If they're going to keep Skubal and really go for it, it starts with getting a little uncomfortable.

Garrett Whitlock, but only if the Red Sox end up selling

The Tigers and Red Sox are on similar trajectories right now: surging in June and July after bad starts to the season that made everyone count them out. The contenders in the NL would certainly love to pick at the carcasses of totally down-and-out Detroit or Boston teams, but neither are going away quietly.

Such is life in the AL right now, and it's muddying the waters of the deadline to the point that there'll be very few clear-cut sellers and buyers. Buyer-to-buyer trades might also be on the table.

If both the Tigers and Red Sox keep performing to this level over the next two weeks, Boston almost certainly won't be motivated to trade Whitlock, who has a 2.18 ERA, literally the best whiff rate among qualified relievers, and has two club options left on an affordable contract. But if they slow down and end up selling, Whitlock would be a much better eighth inning option than Will Vest or maybe even Kyle Finnegan.

Brooks Raley has been a lowkey standout for the Mets

The Mets have made it known that they're open to listening on anyone except Juan Soto, Nolan McLean, AJ Ewing, Carson Benge and Christian Scott, and their bullpen has some serious pieces to mine.

Luke Weaver, Brooks Raley, and AJ Minter have all been standouts for New York's pen, and the latter two are both on expiring contracts. Minter, who has a 1.42 ERA, might require more than the Tigers would be willing to offer. Raley (2.02 ERA) won't exactly be easy to get either, but Chris Fetter would probably love to see if he could unlock more from his already good breaking stuff.

Kirby Yates is having an admirable bounce back year with the Angels

The Angels are perennial sellers, and their MLB-worst .392 record means this year will be no exception. Most eyes are on Mike Trout, though he has remained adamant that he's going to stick with the team that drafted him. Other than him, Anaheim doesn't have a ton of incredibly desirable pieces, but Yates has had a decent year and would be easier to get than anyone else on this list.

After a terrible year with the Dodgers that sunk his free agent value from $13 million to $5 million, Yates has leveled back out with a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings. He started the season on the IL and stayed there until early May, but he's been reliable ever since.

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