Tigers Rumors: Detroit could target these 3 relievers at trade deadline

The old adage has held true for many a postseason run: you can never have too much pitching. For a team like the Detroit Tigers, built with a deep October run in mind, that saying becomes more of a blueprint than a cliché.

Detroit already boasts one of the strongest pitching staffs in the big leagues, but in a postseason race where margins are razor-thin, reinforcing a strength can be just as valuable as patching a weakness.

Other contenders will be aggressive in adding bullpen depth, you can count on that. So why not stay ahead of the curve? Whether it’s a playoff-tested veteran or an undervalued arm with upside, the Tigers should explore every opportunity to bolster their relief corps. In a tightly-contested postseason, one extra weapon in the 'pen could be the difference between an early exit and a deep run.

To be clear, this isn’t a knock on the Tigers’ current bullpen as it’s been one of the more reliable groups in baseball. Tommy Kahnle has been steady, Will Vest has embraced the closer role and thrived, and the trio of Hanifee, Holton, and Hurter (a.k.a. the Tigers’ version of a law firm) has provided valuable innings. Here's a stat that’s just unheard of and extremely hard to believe: the Tigers have not blown a ninth-inning lead in 2025. It’s a remarkable feat in today’s game. Even the few blown saves from Vest (2) and Kahnle (3) came earlier in games, but not in the final frame.

So what does this mean? This group has been pretty amazing as it is, but bolstering it up in the right way could make them unstoppable. Here are a few names that might fit that bill.

Tigers Rumors: Detroit could target these 3 relievers at trade deadline

Kenley Jansen (Angels): At age 37, Jansen isn’t the same guy he once was, but he’s still an effective late-inning option. The veteran owns 14 saves this season with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. His strikeout rate remains solid at nearly 10 K/9, and with 461 career saves he brings unmatched closing experience to the table. More importantly, Jansen knows how to handle October. He’s pitched in every postseason from 2013-2022 and would give the Tigers a calming, battle-tested presence — perfect for high-leverage spots or sharing ninth-inning duties with Vest.

Pete Fairbanks (Rays): Fairbanks has quietly become one of baseball’s nastiest late-inning arms. With 13 saves, a 2.22 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP over 29 innings this year, he’s shown he can lock down tight games and get clutch outs. His fastball-slider combo misses bats consistently, and his late-game dominance would slot beautifully into Detroit’s bullpen.

Graham Ashcraft (Reds): The right-hander could be a sneaky bullpen target who’s quietly transitioned well from starter to reliever in 2025. Through 32 1/3 innings, he’s posted a 2.89 ERA with 37 strikeouts, thanks to a high-90s cutter and sharp slider that have helped limit hard contact. He ranks among the league leaders in chase and barrel rate, and his ability to handle multi-inning, high-leverage situations makes him an ideal depth piece for a playoff-bound bullpen like Detroit’s. He's actually the perfect fit considering Jackson Jobe's season-ending injury and some other uncertainties when it comes to openers and the "pitching chaos" strategy that was deployed in the magical run to the playoffs last year. Ashcraft could solve a ton of those questions by becoming a flex starter given his rotation experience and can be utilized in the bullpen to eat meaningful innings.

While the Tigers’ bullpen has been one of the league’s best, standing pat might be a mistake. October baseball demands depth, experience, and versatility and whether it's a proven closer like Kenley Jansen, a strikeout artist like Pete Fairbanks, or a high-upside piece like Graham Ashcraft, Detroit has a clear opportunity to build on its strength. To end this with another old, tried and true, baseball adage: "championships are won with pitching and defense." To that end, what's another arm for this Tiger club?