Former GM Pours Cold Water on Tigers’ Bullpen Trade Hopes

The Tigers may be pulling away in the AL Central, but that doesn’t mean the Guardians are in a hurry to help them close games in October.

Former GM Jim Bowden doesn’t see Cleveland sending All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase to Detroit — even if the fit makes sense on paper.
“I think he more likely goes to Philly or the Mets than the Tigers,” Bowden said Thursday on Foul Territory. “I’m not sure they’re going to trade him in their own division unless they get overwhelmed.”

Clase would be the dream add for Detroit’s bullpen. He’s signed affordably through 2028 with team options beyond that, and still has wipeout stuff even if his 2025 hasn’t been lights-out. But Bowden’s right: a Guardians-Tigers deal of that magnitude is hard to picture, especially with Cleveland still clinging to some playoff hope.

So where does that leave the Tigers?

Clase might be the big name Tigers fans are dreaming about, but if Detroit wants to fortify the bullpen, they won’t be short on choices. Just probably not from Cleveland.