DETROIT – The Tigers got off to an outstanding start to 2025, holding one of the best records in all of baseball most of the first half of the season. But it’s no secret that their pitching -- mostly the bullpen -- hit a rough patch around June/July, posting an ERA north of 5 after posting a sub-4 ERA in the months prior.
Having lost Jackson Jobe for the season to a right flexor strain in June and Reese Olson to a right shoulder strain at the end of July, the Tigers had no choice but to depend more on their bullpen and manager AJ Hinch’s famous “pitching chaos” strategy.
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Because of injuries and short outings from starters, the Tigers needed some help.
It’s been a little over a month since the 2025 MLB trade deadline (6 p.m. July 31, 2025). The Tigers’ main objective was to add pitching depth -- both in the bullpen and the starting rotation.
Asking prices for both starters and relievers this year were quite steep due to high demand, and in typical Scott Harris fashion, the Tigers stayed away from the flashiest, most expensive names on the market
Instead, they acquired a substantial amount of talent while giving up very little. Now that the new additions have had time to settle in and adjust to the Tigers’ refinements, let’s take a look at how they’ve done so far.
Chris Paddack, Randy Dobnak trade
- July 28: Tigers acquire starting pitcher Chris Paddack and RHP Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for C Enrique Jimenez.
Chris Paddack, who the Tigers acquired the day Reese Olson went on the 60-day IL with a right shoulder strain, is a veteran right-handed starting pitcher.
He is a pitchability guy who throws plenty of strikes, with excellent extension that adds to his deception. Additionally, he brings postseason experience as he appeared in the Wild Card series in 2020 with the San Diego Padres and the Division Series in 2023 with the Minnesota Twins.
Paddack features a carry fastball that averages around 93 mph, a changeup with late fade and sink, a curveball with depth and 1-7 action (think of where the 1 and 7 are on a clock), a slider, a cutter, and a two-seam fastball that he flashes only occasionally.
So far in Detroit, he has a 1-2 record and has posted a 6.29 ERA in 34.1 innings. Recently moved to the bullpen, he had a stellar outing Sept. 9, with a final line of 3 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 4 strikeouts in a blowout win vs. the New York Yankees.
Randy Dobnak is a right-handed pitcher the Tigers acquired for depth. He features a unique low third-quarters arm slot, a slider with plenty of depth, a fastball that he can give either sink or armside run, and a changeup that mirrors his fastball with about 8-10 mph velocity separation.
He has spent his tenure with the Tigers in Triple-A Toledo, posting a 1-1 record in 32.2 innings with a 3.35 ERA.
Rafael Montero trade
- July 30: Tigers acquire RHP Rafael Montero from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league outfielder Jim Jarvis.
Rafael Montero is a veteran right-handed reliever who adds bullpen depth and brings postseason experience.
He has pitched in 15 career postseason games, most notably the 2022 World Series-winning Astros bullpen, posting a 2.51 ERA over 14.1 innings in the postseason.
Montero features a fastball that averages 95 mph, a splitter he tunnels really well with the fastball with plenty of late armside movement and a 36% whiff rate, as well as a slider and two-seam fastball he throws less frequently.
So far in Detroit, he’s posted a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings and struck out 12 batters.
Paul Sewald trade
- July 31: Tigers acquire RHP Paul Sewald from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Paul Sewald is a veteran right-handed reliever who adds bullpen depth and brings postseason experience. He made 10 postseason appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023, during which he had a 1-0 record, 5 saves, and a 5.40 ERA in 10 innings.
He throws from a unique low three-quarters arm slot and features a fastball and a sweeping slider.
Sewald posted a 4.70 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 15.1 innings of relief with the Guardians before going on the IL on July 15 with a right shoulder strain.
He began a rehab assignment with the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps on Sept. 4 and struck out four batters in two innings pitched without allowing an earned run.
He continued his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on Sept. 10, pitching a scoreless inning.
Sewald became eligible to return from the 60-day IL on Sept. 10, so we can most likely expect to see him in Detroit sometime soon.
Kyle Finnegan trade
- July 31: Tigers acquire RHP Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals in exchange for RHP Josh Randall and RHP RJ Sales.
Kyle Finnegan is a veteran right-handed reliever who adds backend bullpen depth and swing-and-miss stuff.
He features a carry fastball and an exceptional splitter with filthy late movement.
The Tigers have increased his splitter usage from 29% to over 50%, and it has paid off. He hasn’t allowed a single earned run while striking out 19 batters in 14.1 innings. He has four saves in Detroit so far.
He was placed on the 15-day IL on Sept. 5 with a right adductor (groin) strain. He is eligible to return on Sept. 16.
Charlie Morton trade
- July 31: Tigers acquire RHP Charlie Morton from the Atlanta Braves for LHP Micah Ashman.
Charlie Morton is a right-handed starting pitcher who adds a veteran presence and postseason experience. He has a record of 7-5 and a 3.60 ERA in 18 total postseason appearances.
Morton is tall, athletic, and durable. He throws from a low three-quarters arm slot and is known for spinning the ball exceptionally well.
His best pitch is his curveball, which so far in 2025 has a 38.1% whiff rate. Additionally, he throws a couple different fastballs in the mid-90s, a changeup, and a cutter.
So far with the Tigers, he has put up a 6.09 ERA and has 41 strikeouts in 34 innings.
Codi Heuer trade
- July 31: Tigers acquire Codi Heuer from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations.
Codi Heuer was drafted in 2018 by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round -- 168th overall.
He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2021, where he underwent Tommy John surgery the following season in 2022.
He elected free agency in 2023 and was signed to a minor league contract by the Texas Rangers in 2024.
Since coming to the Tigers organization, he has spent his time in Triple-A Toledo, where he has posted a 1.93 ERA with 9 strikeouts in 9.1 innings and held opponents to a .167 batting average.
He adds bullpen depth to the Tigers’ organization.
Josueth Quinonez trade
- July 31: Tigers acquire OF Josueth Quinonez from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for RHP Matt Manning.
Josueth Quinonez is an outfielder born in Maracay, Venezuela, who was first signed to a minor league contract by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024.
He spent time with their DSL (Dominican Summer League) teams, and when he was acquired by Detroit, was assigned to the DSL Tigers-2 team in the Dominican Republic.
In 2025 with the DSL Tigers, he played 112.1 innings in RF and 14 innings in CF. Fangraphs lists him as having a future plus hit tool, below average power, above average speed, and fringe defense.
Offensively, he had a slow start with the DSL Tigers (.136/.345/.136), although that came in a very small sample size of only 29 plate appearances.
He did, however, show some patience at the plate with a walk rate of 10.3%.
- NOTE: The Tigers also traded LHP Dietrich Enns to the Baltimore Orioles on July 31 for cash considerations.
Although it is impossible to call the trade deadline a definite success or failure just yet, the Tigers have undeniably improved their bullpen, which was their biggest need at the deadline.
In July, their bullpen ERA was north of 5.00, and in the month of August, they had an ERA of 2.98 -- second best among all MLB bullpens. Additionally, they have added veteran presence and postseason experience.