The Detroit Tigers need to add a high-leverage arm to the back of the bullpen. This should be the biggest focus over the next weeks of the season. While there are arguments to add to the rotation and starting lineup, a reliable relief option is the most important piece the franchise lacks.
Looking at potential options, none would be more impactful than Jhoan Duran. Trading for a division rival makes it all the more enticing when you look at how Duran has fared against Detroit. Having the veteran reliever on the right side is the type of splashy move that will aid the Tigers' hopes of making a deep postseason run.
Duran has 15 saves on the season with an ERA of 1.66, putting himself in the conversation as the league's most dominating late-inning option. The Tigers should be willing to pay a hefty price to add this type of potential to their currently underwhelming options.
Postseason runs are all about bullpen depth, highlighting just how important the move would be. The Tigers currently lack the needed bullpen depth to go on a deep run.
Tigers Should Target Jhoan Duran
The only potential roadblock in this deal is if the Minnesota Twins are willing to trade the star within the division. Having no shortage of potential suitors for the reliever, the Twins could easily opt to go with a slightly lesser package to avoid constantly dealing with the team's former closer. For Detroit to win a bidding war, the franchise is going to have to be far and away the best package.
While Duran is the best option on the market, the team could look at cheaper investments such as Braves' closer Raisel Iglesias, who struggled to start the season. This drove the veteran's price down enough that the Tigers could opt to add the closer while still looking to add additional pieces to the unit.
Taking this path might be the easy choice, but it doesn't give you the potential ceiling that Duran brings to this roster. If the team is going to chase one of the top players on the current market, the priority must be division rival Jhoan Duran.