With a postseason-caliber roster in place, the Tigers are eyeing elite arms, All-Star reliever David Bednar, and controllable starter Mitch Keller, to tighten the rotation and bullpen before the July 31 deadline.
The Detroit Tigers are not rebuilding—they’re preparing. Boasting a mullet-led offense and Cy Young contender Tarik Skubal anchoring the rotation, Detroit is primed for contention. Still, their bullpen has lingering high-leverage concerns, and a rotation cadence sans an ace’s depth could stall momentum when it counts most.
Enter two trade targets who fit Tigers GM Scott Harris’s strategy: David Bednar, a dominant closer with swing-and-miss stuff, and Mitch Keller, a durable starter locked under team control through 2028. Individually, they bring strength; together, they could remake the Tigers into full-fledged contenders.
Bednar: High-Leverage Domination
Twice an All-Star with the Pirates, Bednar is enjoying a renaissance in 2025, with 13 saves, a 2.53 ERA, and 45 strikeouts in 32 innings. His whirling cutter and fastball combo create strikeout chaos, a perfect late-game weapon to pair with Joe Jiménez or Alex Lange.
Although Detroit’s offense can hold its own, baseball’s postseason is ultimately decided in high-leverage innings. Adding Bednar would give A.J. Hinch a shutdown closer, allowing him to trust the late frames as much as the lineup.
David Bednar, Painted 79mph Curveball. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/sZNn21lbQB
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 2, 2025
Estimated cost: ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggests Detroit would offer utility prospect Colt Keith and catching prospect Thayron Liranzo. That’s premium, but not prohibitive—especially for an arm potentially vital to winning the division and deep postseason.
Keller: Rotation Reinforcement
While Skubal, Casey Mize (back), and Reese Olson absorb bulk innings, Detroit is missing a true No. 2 starter behind Skubal. Mitch Keller, the 29-year-old Pittsburgh righty, could fill that void.
Keller is 3-10, but a misleading win-loss record masks glimmers of excellence. With a 3.64 ERA in 106.1 innings and over 80 strikeouts, Keller has been a consistent workhorse across 18+ starts, and he’s under team control through 2028 at a $15 million annual salary.
His durability and mid-rotation upside make him highly appealing—and Pittsburgh, unlikely to face Keller in the postseason, may be amenable to a deal that accelerates their rebuild.
Mitch Keller, Wicked 89mph Back Foot Slider. 🤢
7th K pic.twitter.com/5PWJnKYyw0
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 2, 2025
Strategic Fit & Roster Construction
Synergy in Strategy:
Bednar and Keller plug two precise needs: elite late-inning flexibility and rotation depth. Combined with the Tigers’ offense—featuring Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene, and Javier Báez—this forms a 1–9 lineup built not just for October, but for making the stretch run immensely sustainable.
Prospect Impact:
Losing Keith and Liranzo for Bednar, or mid-tier arms for Keller, stings. But Detroit’s farm remains deep. These deals would be sacrifices, not structural damage.
Timeline:
Both assets have multi-year control: Keller through 2028, Bednar through 2026. These aren’t rentals—they are foundational arms for both the rest of 2025 and beyond.
Downsides & Considerations
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Cost vs. Return: Offloading mid-tier prospects for two arms is riskier than a rental “splash”—but Bednar and Keller fill core roles Detroit cannot ignore if it wants to chase October.
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Rotation depth: Detroit will still need a fourth starter behind Skubal, Keller, and Mize, possibly via internal options like Griffin Jax or outside rental additions.
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Interference: Pittsburgh could extract more in a bidding war, while the Tigers must ensure they don’t lose all leverage.
Detroit’s model is clear: use a potent offense and elite starting pitching to carry them deep into October. Bednar and Keller don’t just add options—they add trust:
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Bednar: he secures winning games when the bullpen is porous.
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Keller: earns the fifth inning and beyond, taking stress off Skubal and giving Detroit postseason-worthy stamina.
They’re the missing cogs. With the deadline nearing, look for Detroit to make a standout, and possibly double-impact trade before July 31.
David Bednar’s resurgence as a LOCKDOWN closer has been an integral part of Pittsburgh’s hot stretch 🔒 https://t.co/AmvW7ICc8d pic.twitter.com/odqEzVyRTK
— MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2025
Trade Targets Recap
| Player | Role | Control Through | Why It Works for Tigers |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Bednar | All-Star RHP / Closer | 2026 | Strikeout dominance: 13 saves, 2.53 ERA this season. Ideal late-inning anchor for a bullpen needing lockdown reliability. |
| Mitch Keller | Mid-Rotation Starter | 2028 | 3.64 ERA over 106.1 IP; innings eater with consistent command. Durable and affordable under a team-friendly extension. |
Projected cost:
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Bednar: Colt Keith + Thayron Liranzo
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Keller: mid-tier pitching prospect(s)
Detroit is built. Now it’s about elevation. Bednar and Keller are the missing pieces, and could be the catalysts that turn a near-miss into a bullpen seal and deep October run.
