Tigers are interested in Michael King

The Tigers have expressed interest in a free agent starter Michael Kingreports Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free-Press. King has also been linked to the Yankees, Cubs, Blue Jays and Marlins – although the latter two teams are likely a mismatch. Toronto is likely done adding to the rotation now that they have agreed to a three-year deal Cody Ponce. Miami has bigger priorities in the infield and bullpen and spending at this level always seemed like a gamble.

King is coming off an injury-shortened season in which he was limited to 15 starts. A nerve problem in his throwing shoulder turned out to be much more irritating than initially expected and ultimately cost him two and a half months. He also had minimal injury time due to a knee infection. King looked shaky when he returned in September, allowing 10 runs with a modest 11:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 15 2/3 innings.

That adds some risk to his first career journey through free agency. However, a fully healthy version of King is one of the best pitchers in the MLB. He finished seventh in the NL Cy Young voting during the 2024 season. King posted a 2.95 earned run average over 173 2/3 innings in his first full season as a big league starter. He was off to an even better start this year, working to a 2.59 ERA with a 28% strikeout rate over 10 appearances before the nerve injury.

There was no structural damage. King finished the season healthy, although the Padres didn’t trust him enough to start over Yu Darvish in an elimination game in the Wild Card Series. They were content to make a qualifying bid, which likely wouldn’t have been the case if they thought the injury could affect him in 2026. King declined in search of a multi-year contract. He is generally not expected to return to San Diego.

The Tigers are looking for starting and emergency help. They don’t have a clear #2 starter behind them Pull Skubal. That would probably amount to Reese Olsonbut he missed the last two months of 2025 due to a shoulder injury. Jack Flaherty is back after exercising his $20 million player option following an up-and-down year. Casey Mize pitched well overall, but is more of a #3 or high-end fourth starter than someone the Tigers would want right behind Skubal in a playoff series. Jackson Jobe won’t be available until the second half after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June.

Rookie right Troy Meltonwho later pitched out of the MLB bullpen would likely be the fifth starter if the season started tomorrow. Keider Montero And Sawyer Gipson-Long lead a thin collection of depth arms. Everyone from that group has minor league options and could work out of the bullpen. All teams use more than five starters, so the Tigers will definitely need one or two additions to protect against injuries.