Tigers Stand Alone as MLB’s Top Team Entering ASG & Trade Deadline

COMERICA PARK- Detroit, MI

While some names and faces have changed since last year’s magical run of 0.2% chance to make the playoffs, the blueprint of the 2025 Detroit Tigers feels like a carbon copy, only better.

At 59-34 through 93 games, the Tigers are atop the MLB standings as they seek another sweep as they near the All-Star break. The team is 3.5 games over Houston (who has come on strong last 35 days) and the Dodgers, +4 over the Cubs, +5 on the Blue Jays and +5.5 beyond the Mets and Phillies. Detroit currently holds a staggering 14-game lead over the rest of the AL Central, of whom are all under .500 that saw the previous 50 days watch the Twins, Guardians and Royals enter a painfully slow regression.

Offensively, the team had been amongst the best while boasting the best run differential +, still are while withstanding a regression since mid-May with some marks checking in not better than 25th prior to last week’s two series. With the recent trade news of RHP Civale going from Milwaukee to Chicago White Sox and then the blockbuster deal involving Boston’s super star, Rafael Devers, heading to San Francisco for multiple players and prospects has given the trade deadline an early jolt. Scott Harris has made it known they will be looking to add, but at the right value. The Tigers still have long-term needs at 3B and 1B is still an unknown. Spencer Torkelson has had a resurgence early but has tapered off while still producing clutch hits and RBIs with an improved glove from 2024. Colt Keith is expected to retain his 2B role in 2026, assuming Gleyber Torres leaves for a long-term extension with another club. Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling have slowly begun to get going in what’s really their extended spring training as neither as played many games this season.

Tarik Skubal is not only the front runner to repeat as AL Cy Young (he is in a heated battle with Max Fried-NYY, Hunter Brown-HOU, Garret Crochet-BOS and Jason deGrom-TEX) but actually Top 3 in American League MVP, behind Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh. Teammate Riley Greene is a Top 5 name as well. Casey Mize has emerged as last year’s Jack Flaherty (who has struggled mightily in 2025) behind Skubal to form a lethal 1-2 combo while Reese Olson has pitched fairly well, split with some time on the injured list but is now back. The rest has been a mess; Flaherty is suddenly getting smoked on his fastball and on pace to allow his highest HR total by 2x or more (30+) as he continues a concerning regression. Sawyer Gipson-Long looked good in his first handful of starts since his return but has also landed back on the IL (15 days) recently. The rest has been a mix of Flaherty, Keider Montero (who has only improved since his first 4 starts and has greatly improved his walk rate and overall pitch efficiency) and more recently, and a more regular “pitching chaos” day as of late.

This team has the stamp of a blue-collar city like Detroit yet again. Far from the star strutted team from 2012-2016 run with multiple All-Stars, Cy Young Winning rotation, Triple Crown winner and a couple 1st ballot HOF players. These guys do whatever is asked of them, are learning new positions and are building a fun but competitive locker room that have each other’s back. Question is, will Ilitch open up the check book this trade deadline and more so, the upcoming offseason? Injuries have plagued this team since prior to Spring exhibition games even starting with a large list of minor leaguers who have made their debuts since 2024 season. So far, this team is doing everything needed to stay atop, but on paper, they still can improve on offense and their merry-go-round of a bullpen not named Huerter, Vest, Kahnle and Holton continues to be taxed as they’ve DFA’d or demoted a couple of arms as they’ve also lost some due to injury, depleting last year’s depth. In short, the trade deadline may emphasize, ideally, two arms for the bullpen with one being a flame thrower or high chase stuff to compliment the solid trio on the back end. A bat would be nice, but trading for a 3B would mean someone gets demoted, cut or even traded the other way in the deal as the depth of this team has been remarkable, but has also made many of them more valuable.

EARLY TRADE TARGET POSSIBILITIES

-Eugenio Suarez (ARZ-3B), Ryan McMahon (COL-3B), Aaron Bummer (ATL-LHP), Dennis Santana (PITT-RHP) who is also linked to PHI, Ryan O’Hearn (BAL-1B), Felix Bautista (BAL-RHP), Aroldis Chapman (BOS-LHP)