The Detroit Tigers may be baseball’s top team heading into the All-Star break, but don’t let the standings fool you — there’s a fire burning in the bullpen, and it’s not the good kind. After coughing up 15 ninth-inning runs in just three games against the Mariners, Detroit’s front office appears ready to pounce. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Tigers are “strongly” interested in acquiring not one, but two elite Minnesota Twins relievers.
If Detroit can pull it off, it would be a blockbuster bullpen upgrade. top star, 27, is one of the most electrifying closers in the league, and his 1.66 ERA through 43.1 innings in 2025 makes his All-Star Game snub look like a clerical error. Veteran star, 30, hasn’t been quite as dominant this season (3.92 ERA), but he’s come on strong of late and was a high-leverage weapon for Minnesota last year. Add either to Detroit’s shaky relief corps and you’ve got a serious postseason threat. Add both? The Tigers might just become unstoppable.
But the question looms: will Minnesota bite? The Twins are still hanging around the Wild Card race, just four games back, and parting with two top relievers wouldn’t exactly scream “win-now mode.” However, if the Twins choose to sell, Detroit will be ready with the assets and urgency to strike. The Tigers know the importance of elite late-game arms come October — and after last season’s “bullpen chaos,” they’re not taking any chances.
Whether the Tigers land Duran, Jax, or pivot to other bullpen targets, one thing is clear: Detroit is not sitting on its hands. With a golden opportunity to chase a World Series title, the team is going all-in. The deadline is just weeks away, and fans should buckle up — the bullpen reinforcements may just be the first domino to fall in what could be a wild trade season for the Tigers.