Tigers Seek Bullpen Help Amid Limited Trade Options

The Detroit Tigers, once leading in MLB, have struggled recently and are focusing on bolstering their bullpen before the trade deadline, as their current bullpen ranks low in strikeouts and overall effectiveness. They are reportedly interested in acquiring high-leverage relievers like St. Louis Cardinals' Phil Maton, who boasts a strong 2.41 ERA, to address their pitching weaknesses. However, the Tigers are unlikely to pursue certain National League third basemen, Ke'Bryan Hayes and Ryan McMahon, due to their large contracts and comparatively lower offensive production. Additionally, the Tigers face challenges in acquiring top relief pitchers from their American League Central rivals, such as Emmanuel Clase and Jhoan Duran, since intradivision trades are improbable without a significant overpay. Meanwhile, teams like the Toronto Blue Jays have found stability in bullpen arms like Yariel Rodriguez, whose consistent performance contrasts with the Tigers' bullpen struggles. The Atlanta Braves are also experiencing difficulties with their starting rotation due to injuries and ineffective fill-in starters, highlighting the broader challenge MLB teams face in maintaining pitching depth through the season.