7 MLB trade deadline acquisitions Tigers, Scott Harris can target for 2027 and beyond

The Detroit Tigers' front office is on the fence. Tarik Skubal is at the top of any reasonable trade deadline rankings. This includes ESPN, which considers Skubal the best player available should the Tigers sell, but dealing Skubal may not be in the Tigers interest. Detroit has the second-best record in baseball since June 1. They are five games back in the Wild Card race, but that only speaks to the hole they dug themselves in April and May.

To put it lightly, AJ Hinch and the Tigers have put themselves in the worst possible position. If they sell on Skubal while still within striking distance of a Wild Card spot, fans won't be happy. If they hang onto Skubal only to miss the playoffs and lose their ace this winter, that is a failure of a different kind.

If we're being honest, it's refreshing the Tigers front office hasn't already committed to selling. Scott Harris believes in the team he's assembled. Here's how they can make that product even better in the years to come, with or without Skubal.

Who should the Detroit Tigers add at the MLB trade deadline?

Again, we're operating under the assumption that the Tigers will buy at the MLB trade deadline with an eye on controllable talent. That means players whose contracts don't expire in 2026, like Skubal and plenty of other All-Stars who didn't make this cut. Who might be within reach for the Tigers without selling the farm?

Jung Hoo Lee

Lee is a fan favorite in San Francisco for a reason. He ranks sixth in MLB in batting average but also strikeout rate. Given that information, he'd fit right in with the rest of the Tigers lineup. What Detroit lacks is a true center fielder. Lee won't solve that problem, either, but has played center in his time with the Giants. The Japanese outfielder is signed through at least the 2027 season, and has a player opt-out for 2028. Even under a salary cap system (should it come to pass) Lee is a solid and relatively affordable middle-of-the-order bat. Sign us up, as the Tigers need more of those.

Josh Hader or Riley O'Brien

We're providing an option here. Hader is sure to be more expensive given all he has accomplished at the MLB level. The Astros are in a similar position to the Tigers, but their owner is far more aggressive. Jim Crane could easily step in and veto such a trade if he thinks Houston can contend for a Wild Card spot with Hader on the roster. Hader is signed through 2028 and has a 1.47 ERA in 20 games.

O'Brien could be more attainable. He's also cheaper and thus more expensive from a prospect capital perspective. the Cardinals closer has a 3.76 ERA on the season and would surely concern some Tigers fans, but if Detroit believes in their pitcher development program and pitching coach Chris Fetter (which they should), O'Brien could be worth the Cardinals asking price.

Ryan Zeferjahn

Who is this guy? Tigers fans could learn to pronounce Ryan Zeferjahn's name quickly if he's traded to Detroit. While he doesn't have the same name recognition as Hader or even O'Brien, Zeferjahn is a stable arm in the back end of any bullpen, which is something the Tigers desperately need. Detroit's bullpen has improved as the season's gone along, but Kenley Jansen is likely to leave this winter (or retire). Zeferjahn could be a piece of the puzzle in 2027, and the Angels are almost certainly willing to sell.

Michael Wacha or Reid Detmers

The Royals and Tigers are division rivals, which makes this trade a tough one to complete. Wacha is available for some odd reason. Yes, Kansas City has been bad this season, as they sit in the cellar of the AL Central. This is also a team trying to build around Bobby Witt Jr., and Wacha has been steady and is under contract through 2028 thanks to a club option. If the Royals are willing to make this mistake, the Tigers should cash in.

I will advertise Detmers here, however. The Angels ace ranks as the No. 11 player available in ESPN's trade deadline rankings, and he has earned that spot. Detmers has a 4.16 ERA, but he also has the fourth-most strikeouts in all of baseball. He doesn't walk a ton of hitters or give up the long ball, which makes him a stat nerd's darling. Enter Harris, who lives for these metrics. Sure, Detmers would cost a lot, but the Tigers are set to lose Skubal this winter. Detmers is another lefty they can add to the rotation in 2027 to make up for what's sure to be a crushing offseason defeat.

Zach Neto

This one is a little outlandish, but stick with me. Yes, the Tigers have a long-term shortstop in Kevin McGonigle. No, they shouldn't move off of McGonigle, as he made the AL All-Star team and is in the running to Rookie of the Year.

However, adding Neto, who is on pace for his third-straight season of 5-plus bWAR, doesn't limit any of that. Neto is playing his way off of the shortstop position defensively. He has some of the worst defensive range of any starting shortstop in baseball. So, why not pay a reasonable price for a plus-hitter and move him to a position of need? Gleyber Torres is likely to leave this winter. Neto has range and a strong arm. He's just not a long-term starting shortstop defensively. His .772 OPS and 19 home runs so far this season suggest as much.

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