The Detroit Tigers have the best record in Major League Baseball and lead the American League Central by 14 games over the second place Kansas City Royals.
The team has been clicking on all cylinders and looks like a major threat to win the pennant in the Junior Circuit. They have reigning Cy Young Tarik Skubal leading the rotation and a young core that has helped them take the next step.
However, there are needs that the Tigers will have to address in the coming weeks leading up to the trade deadline. The back end of the bullpen could use more swing-and-miss.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed reigning National League Reliever of the Year Ryan Helsley as a potential option for Detroit.
“Aroldis Chapman of the Red Sox, David Bednar of the Pirates, Félix Bautista of the Orioles, Mason Miller of the Athletics, Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals and Emmanuel Clase of the Guardians should be among their top trade targets,” Bowden wrote.
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Helsley saved 49 games last season, setting a St. Louis franchise record. The two-time All-Star is 3-0 with a 3.19 ERA this season and has saved 18 games in 31 appearances.
The Tigers will have to pay a significant price to land Helsley in a trade, but fortunately for them, they have several top prospects in their farm system that St. Louis might show interest in.
Helsley is a free agent at the end of the season and likely won’t be back in St. Louis in 2026, so it makes sense that the Cardinals would shop him, though it’s not confirmed that they will.
Still, Detroit needs help in its bullpen, and Helsley could be exactly what they need to put the finishing touches on a very strong roster as the stretch run nears.
It will be interesting to see if the Tigers make an offer.
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