Tigers Need to Add High-Leverage Reliever as Bullpen Grades Out C+ at Break

Through the first half of the season, Detroit’s bullpen has done enough, but just enough. 

The Tigers’ relievers enter the All-Star break ranked 21st in MLB with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. They’re not blowing games at a historic rate, but they’re not locking them down either. 

For a team with real playoff aspirations, “holding steady” may not be good enough come October.

Will Vest has done his job. He leads the team with 15 saves and a 2.30 ERA, averaging over a strikeout per inning. Brant Hurter, with a 3.27 ERA and 9.6 K/9, is regaining his footing after some struggles. But outside of those two, Detroit has too many innings being covered by contact-based arms that don’t miss enough bats.

Tommy Kahnle, brought in as a veteran stabilizer, has been hit-or-miss. His 4.50 ERA is a red flag for the postseason, though he’s done better recently. Tyler Holton and Brenan Hanifee have been serviceable in middle relief, but neither offers the kind of swing-and-miss stuff the Tigers need when the margin tightens.

That’s the issue. Detroit’s bullpen isn’t a disaster, but it’s missing that one or two elite-level arms that can shorten games and slam doors.

So what’s the fix?

The Tigers have been linked to multiple relievers ahead of the deadline, including Twins closer Jhoan Duran and Pirates right-hander David Bednar. Either would be a high-impact addition. Even a second-tier arm like Pete Fairbanks or Jeff Hoffman could boost the bridge to Vest.

If Detroit’s front office is serious about this postseason run, the bullpen can’t stay as-is. The pieces are there. But it’s one big arm, or maybe two, away from going from “good enough” to something much more October-proof.

Grade: C+
Solid depth. One reliable closer. But not nearly enough strikeouts or shutdown options for a team with AL pennant dreams.