Tigers Trade for Rafael Montero in Latest Bullpen Boost Amid Playoff Push

The Detroit Tigers are quietly beefing up their pitching staff as the trade deadline heats up. Their latest move? Acquiring veteran reliever Rafael Montero from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league infielder Jim Jarvis.

As part of the transaction, Detroit designated Tyler Owens for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. They’ll also need to free up a spot on the 26-man roster before Montero suits up for his Tigers debut.

Montero on the Move Again

This is the second trade in four months for Montero, who was previously dealt from the Astros to the Braves back in April. That deal was more about salary shedding for Houston than roster strategy. The Astros are still covering about $8.5 million of Montero’s $11.5 million salary for 2025. That leaves roughly $3.83 million still owed for the remainder of 2024 — a manageable chunk for a Tigers team trying to stay in the postseason conversation.

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What Detroit’s Hoping to Get

So far, Detroit’s trade deadline moves have been about building bullpen depth rather than making big splashes. They’ve already added Chris Paddack to the rotation and signed Luke Jackson as a free agent. Montero joins that mix, bringing with him a veteran presence — though not without red flags.

Montero’s overall numbers this season haven’t inspired much confidence. Through 38 1/3 innings split between Atlanta and Houston, he holds a 5.40 ERA and a concerning 13.9% walk rate, one of the worst in the league. But it hasn’t all been bad news. He’s posted a solid chase rate and looked relatively sharp until about two weeks ago.

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Unfortunately, his last few outings have been rough. In just 3 1/3 innings over his last four appearances, Montero has allowed eight earned runs, causing his ERA to skyrocket.

Still, the Tigers seem to believe this is more of a short-term slump than a long-term decline. If Montero can regain his form — or at least tighten up the control issues — he could serve as a solid middle-inning arm. The Tigers bullpen doesn’t rank highly in strikeout numbers, so even Montero’s average K-rate offers a mild upgrade.

Braves Cash In with Utility Infielder

For the Braves, this deal makes sense as they look toward 2026 and beyond. Montero had become expendable, and they now pick up Jim Jarvis, a versatile infielder with some upside.

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Jarvis, 23, was taken in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. He’s spent the entire 2024 season at Double-A Erie, where he’s posted a .242 batting average with a .316 on-base percentage and .336 slugging in 310 plate appearances.

Primarily a shortstop, Jarvis has also seen time at second and third base, giving the Braves a flexible infield depth piece to develop in their system. While his bat hasn’t lit up the scoreboard, his ability to cover multiple positions adds value.

What’s Next for the Tigers?

Detroit has been linked to other players, including starter Merrill Kelly and third-base options like Eugenio Suárez and Ke’Bryan Hayes (both now off the market). The team is clearly focused on the bullpen for now, but bigger moves may still be in play.

While Montero isn’t a flashy pickup, he fits the Tigers’ approach so far — low-cost, high-hope additions who could stabilize weak spots without giving up major prospects. If he finds his rhythm, Montero could become a dependable piece in Detroit’s playoff puzzle.

For now, fans will be watching closely to see whether this new-look bullpen can hold its own as the Tigers chase a postseason berth in the weeks ahead.