At the MLB trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers are in the market for bullpen help. While they’re also looking at third baseman and starting pitching, adding relievers to the bullpen should be a priority for the team.
Fortunately, one of their top options might be easier to get. As Chris Schad of Detroit Jock City points out, with the Colorado Rockies general manager under fire for the Rockies atrocious start to the year, their trade candidates might be easier to land.
Schad’s article stems from a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, in which he states the Rockies are more willing to part with their top trade chips at this year’s deadline than years prior.
“They plan to be more open-minded at this deadline,” Rosenthal writes. “Entertaining offers for third baseman Ryan McMahon, right-hander German Marquez, and reliever Jake Bird, among others, according to a source briefed on the club’s plans.”
While Detroit could be interested in any of the three listed Rockies players, Bird is the one who stands out as the most desirable. The 29-year-old righty reliever has been impressive this season.
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After three years of sitting in the 4.00 ERAs, this season, Bird has a 2.79 ERA in 48.1 innings so far. He’s struck out 58 batters and walked 19. With the Tigers’ need for a strikeout reliever, Bird’s 10.8 strikeout-per-nine would be a nice addition.
Another reason why Bird would be a good trade pickup is that he’s under team control through 2028, so if his strong performance continues in Detroit and past this season, the Tigers would have a couple of extra seasons with him on the roster for cheap.
The report from Rosenthal is a good indicator for the Tigers, as some of the top options on the trade block are more readily available. Bird would help round out the Tigers’ bullpen for a postseason run, and for the next three and a half seasons as well.
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