Tigers rumors: Detroit targeting closers

The Detroit Tigers are exploring the possibility of adding a veteran closer through the trade market, reports Buster Olney of ESPN:

Detroit has been targeting relievers capable of closing in trade talks.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 7, 2012

With Detroit closer Jose Valverde hitting free agency, and with his postseason implosion making a Motown reunion highly unlikely, the Tigers are in need of a new stopper. While it was thought for a while that the club might bump young fire-baller Bruce Rondon into the closer role, that now does not appear to be set in stone.

Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan has been tied to trade talks of late, so he could be a potential candidate, but no specifics on the Tigers' pursuits has been released.

The Tigers have a few trade chips that they could possibly swing in a deal for an experienced closer. It has been rumored that both shortstop Jhonny Peralta and corner outfielder Brennan Boesch could be trade bait, though Boesch is probably the more likely trade candidate because the Tigers do not have anyone lined up to take over at short.