Report: Tigers have inquired on closers, uncomfortable with cost

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila has made it a priority to address the bullpen this offseason - the team's biggest area of weakness the past half-decade.

The Tigers opened negotiations with former closer Joakim Soria earlier this week and have inquired on several more high-profile closers available via trade, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, though they aren't comfortable with the asking prices for the likes of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller.

After building up their weak farm system last season following the trades of David Price and Yoenis Cespedes, Rosenthal notes the Tigers are likely reluctant to deal any of their young pitchers in order to acquire a premium backend piece.

The cost in the closing market isn't cheap, as evidenced by the Boston Red Sox parting with two top prospects - four in total - in order to land Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres last week.

Detroit's bullpen finished 27th in the majors with a 4.38 ERA last season, and hasn't ranked within the top 10 in ERA since 2006.