Tigers Rumors: Detroit interested in 2 division rival pitchers but have steep competition

The Tigers' need for a high-leverage backend bullpen arm is a well-trodden issue at this point, but Tommy Kahnle's recent implosions have hammered it home even further. In his last two appearances against the Mariners in a series that Tigers fans will want to forget about quickly, Kahnle failed to record an out and gave up seven runs. Something similar happened against the Nationals on July 2, when he didn't record an out and gave up five runs.

Will Vest is still rolling, but Kahnle's issue, whether it's regression or overuse or both, should have the Tigers even more motivated to find reinforcements by the deadline.

Luckily, the Tigers do seem to making some calls. Bob Nightengale reported that Detroit is among a handful of teams interested in Twins relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax. However, also in on the two are the Dodgers, Cubs, and Reds, which could complicate things.

The Tigers have more prospect firepower than any of these competitors — except, arguably, the Dodgers — but they could be forced to give up more than they want to outbid them. It doesn't help that the Twins, though likely out of a Wild Card spot, probably won't want to help a division rival if the gap between them closes a little more before the deadline.

Bob Nightengale names Tigers, Dodgers, Cubs as suitors for Twins relievers Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax

Duran has been a popular trade candidate thanks to his 1.66 ERA through 43 1/3 innings, but Jax's name has only started to crop up as the Twins have slid further, lost Carlos Correa, and have looked more and more like sellers at the deadline. Jax hasn't had quite as dominant a season as Duran (3.92 ERA in 41 1/3 innings), but he is affordable and has elite chase, whiff, and K rates that should entice the Tigers, who need more swing-and-miss in the bullpen. Both have a considerable amount of team control left.

The Tigers undeniably have the prospects to get a deal done, but the Twins and Reds are frequent trade partners and, again, the Twins may not be inclined to help the Tigers even if they do foresee being totally out of the postseason race by the deadline.

But Duran and Jax are the first relievers the Tigers have been connected to by an insider so far, and they could be worth paying a little extra to get a deal across.