Tigers’ Trade Deadline Moves May Limit Postseason Potential
Could the Detroit Tigers regret not doing more at the trade deadline?
Despite being one of the top teams in the American League during the first half of the season, there are growing concerns about the Tigers’ recent performance. After a strong start, the team has struggled to maintain that level, and while every long season has its ups and downs, Detroit’s current trajectory raises some red flags.
Heading into the trade deadline, with the team showing signs of slowing down, many expected the Tigers to make a big move or two. With one of the best farm systems in baseball and plenty of assets to improve, they had the resources to make a significant upgrade.
However, while Detroit did make some moves, they didn’t land a game-changer that could really shift the team’s outlook.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report pointed out that the Tigers’ lackluster deadline could hinder their World Series aspirations. He noted, “If you weren’t already convinced the Tigers were serious World Series contenders before the deadline, those moves likely didn’t do much to change that perception.”
It’s easy to criticize Detroit’s decisions at the deadline. Despite having a solid record and a competitive team, they didn’t bring in a player who could be a major contributor come October.
In terms of pitching, while Charlie Morton and Chris Paddack will provide much-needed depth to the rotation, neither is likely to inspire confidence as a starter in a playoff game. Additionally, the bullpen—arguably the Tigers’ biggest need—didn’t get the boost many expected, as pitchers like David Bednar and Ryan Helsley went elsewhere, and Detroit settled for Kyle Finnegan.
Offensively, while the lineup has been solid, a player like Eugenio Suarez would’ve given them an All-Star bat in the middle of the order, potentially elevating the offense even further. While adding multiple stars might have been unrealistic, landing one key piece like Suarez could have changed the narrative surrounding their deadline activity.
Now, if Detroit falls short in the postseason, all eyes will likely turn to the moves (or lack thereof) made over the summer. Despite being active, it still feels like the Tigers didn’t do enough to set themselves up for a deep playoff run.
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