3 relievers Tigers should already regret not acquiring at 2025 trade deadline

The Tigers' trade deadline strategy is already proving itself to be flawed. Despite a strong first appearance, Chris Paddack fell apart against his former squad; Rafael Montero was just as bad as everyone expected; and Paul Sewald might not even pitch this year. Kyle Finnegan and Charlie Morton have been decent so far, but how much will it actually help?

Scott Harris and the Tigers front office weren't interested in giving up top prospects, and they got away with only dealing two who were ranked.

But the Tigers' pitching is still subpar at best and near impossible to watch at worst, and it has fans regretting all of the trades Detroit didn't make when they still had the chance.

3 relievers Tigers should already regret not acquiring at 2025 trade deadline

David Bednar

Bednar seemed like the most realistic closer option for the Tigers' trade deadline, but they didn't seem to be in on those conversations at all. The Yankees gave up a top-10 prospect and a top-15 prospect (along with an unranked outfielder), but the Tigers and their far superior farm system could've gotten away with giving up less.

His initial landing in New York was rough, when he was part of the Yankees' epic bullpen collapse against the Marlins that involved all three of their new relievers giving up a 9-4 lead, but his last 2 2/3 innings have been clean, and he got his first save as a Yankee on Wednesday — he struck out five out of eight batters he faced in a tight 3-2 win for New York.

Danny Coulombe

No one could've anticipated that the Twins were going to sell the way that they did, but after getting Chris Paddack, maybe the Tigers should've doubled back for a reliever as well. When he's been healthy, Coulombe has been one of the best relievers in baseball since 2023. Before leaving the Twins in a trade with the Rangers, he pitched 31 innings for a 1.16 ERA in middle relief and as the occasional setup man.

His first three innings in Texas have been almost spotless, and all the Rangers had to give up for him was their No. 25 prospect, who is nowhere near the major leagues. Coulombe is a free agent after this season and the Tigers clearly weren't interested in rentals. But when the Twins' return was a single top-30 prospect? The Tigers should've been in on those conversations.

Gregory Soto

Soto wasn't having an exceptional year with the Orioles before he was traded to the Mets for their No. 19 prospect and another minor league pitcher, but he hasn't given up an earned run since he landed in Queens. Mets fans were initially underwhelmed by the trade, but Soto's been working out decently for them so far.

Soto was, of course, a Tiger for years. He spent two All-Star seasons in Detroit before he was traded to the Phillies in the deal that brought Matt Vierling to the Tigers. Soto has been at best underwhelming since he was moved back then, but he certainly would've been a more worthwhile reclamation project than Rafael Montero.