After a tough stretch following the All-Star break, where they lost 13 of 16 games, the Detroit Tigers‘ offense seems to have gotten back on track. Detroit is having one of its best regular seasons in franchise history, and with an icon at the helm of the pitching staff in Tarik Skubal and six All-Stars, the Tigers have their eyes on the prize in October.
With just one day before MLB’s trade deadline, the Tigers are shopping for a high-leverage reliever.
They could link up with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are almost certainly going to sell some of their tradable pieces, for a strong reliever to anchor their bullpen.
Tigers Linked to Pirates’ David Bednar
The Detroit Tigers don’t have many teams, but as with any contending team at this time of year, good bullpen arms are at a premium. For Detroit, they have been linked to prioritizing a high-leverage arm, preferably a closer, and David Bednar is one of the names that have come up frequently. Bednar comes with two years of team control, but has been one of the better relievers this season.
He was an All-Star in both 2022 and 2023, but took a step back in 2024 when he was sent down to Triple-A, he has regained his All-Star form this season. In 38 innings this year, Bednar has 51 strikeouts, a 2.37 ERA, 17 saves, and has given up just two home runs. That plays every day in October, where relievers who can keep the ball in the park are essential.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com listed Bednar as a player likely to be traded before the deadline:
“Bednar has heard his name in trade rumors for the past couple years, but it’s looking more and more like this Deadline will finally be the one during which he gets dealt. After some early-season struggles that resulted in a demotion, Bednar has been one of the best closers in the game, going 14-for-14 in save opportunities with a 1.59 ERA in 36 appearances since being recalled on April 19. Bednar, whose strikeout percentage (33.8%) ranks in the 95th percentile, is earning $5.9 million in 2025 and is arbitration-eligible for one more year.”
Bednar has added a few saves since Feinsand wrote that report, but the point remains the same: he is a shutdown closer.
What Would Detroit Have to Give Up?
Since Bednar is under control for a couple more seasons, it might cost the Detroit Tigers a top-five prospect or a player already on their roster, like Colt Keith. Either way, Detroit has a deep farm system, and the only names that are really off limits are Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle. Those are the Tigers’ top prospects, but a package deal for one of their top ten prospects and Keith could work for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh needs young hitters, so that’s likely what they would ask for. Thayron Liranzo makes sense as a catcher/first base prospect that could develop in their system.
Either way, the Tigers are expected to make a couple of moves before tomorrow’s deadline, but this would be a huge splash for Detroit and its bullpen.
Tigers Trade Proposal Lands Pirates’ All-Star Pitcher