An early trade deadline approach for the 2025 Detroit Tigers

The Tigers' early success in 2025 has easily been the most surprising element of this season. Tigers fans expected that this team would be competitive, even if the rest of the league didn't, but their start is mimicking the success of the 1984 and 2006 Tigers, and that level of dominance couldn't have been anticipated.

Through May 25, they still hold the best record in the AL and are half-game back of the Philliies for the best record in baseball.

This could make the Tigers real players at the trade deadline. Their offensive core is mostly solid and the pitching staff is arguably the most productive in the league. That said, making a World Series run is incredibly hard and you can never have too many reinforcements.

We can probably say that we'll see the Tigers buying, but shouldn't expect major moves unless some kind of injury-related disaster befalls the roster (knock on wood). So what would a realistic trade deadline approach look like?

Tigers could realistically add a third baseman, extra bullpen arm at the 2025 trade deadline

Third base is one of the Tigers' weakest positions this year, which is basically par for the course. Matt Vierling's return to the team should help, depending on how he looks after a shoulder strain, but his defense at third isn't much to write home about, and keeping Vierling versatile on defense (he's a much better outfielder than infielder) would jive perfectly with AJ Hinch's managerial style.

Nolan Arenado has become a perennial trade candidate, and even though the Tigers aren't included on the list of teams he'd waive his no-trade clause for, maybe he'd change his tune seeing their success this year. Arenado's contract is still far from ideal, but if the Cardinals were willing to eat enough money, that could change things.

The bullpen could also use another high-leverage arm. Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest have looked dominant so far, but Tyler Holton and Beau Brieske have been struggling lately. The Cardinals' Ryan Helsley is already looking like he could be a name St. Louis fields a lot of calls about, and he'd be an affordable rental. It all just depends where St. Louis ends up in terms of playoff contention, but either way there should be sellers out there able to help Detroit with what they need.

The trade market isn't far from clarified with two months to go until the deadline, and the Tigers don't look like they need to change much as things currently stand. Still, it never hurts to keep an eye out and begin speculating.