The Detroit Tigers have jumped into the chase for free agent right-hander Michael King. He’s a high-upside arm, but recent injuries make him one of the more interesting pitching bets this winter.
Let’s look at why Detroit’s interested, how King’s health muddies his value, and what his addition could mean for a Tigers rotation still trying to find stability behind emerging ace Tarik Skubal.
Michael King: High-Ceiling Ace or High-Risk Gamble?
Michael King’s free agency feels like a classic risk-reward dilemma. He’s coming off an injury-filled 2025 that trimmed his workload and exposed some durability concerns.
But when he’s healthy, King has shown flashes of Cy Young-level stuff. Honestly, that’s tough to ignore.
A 2024 Season That Put Him Among MLB’s Elite
When he’s at full strength, King can anchor a rotation. In 2024, he finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting after logging 173 2/3 innings with a 2.95 ERA.
That’s not just a mid-rotation guy churning through innings—he looked like a frontline starter who could take on anyone. He carried that form into early 2025 too.
Over his first 10 appearances, King posted a 2.59 ERA and a strong 28% strikeout rate. Those numbers had front offices and pitching coaches paying close attention.
The 2025 Injury Setback and Late-Season Struggles
Things got rough in 2025. King’s season stopped at 15 starts after a nerve issue in his throwing shoulder and knee inflammation kept him out for over two months.
Shoulder and knee problems? Not exactly what teams want to see in a pitcher’s medical file. When King came back, he just wasn’t himself.
He managed only 15 2/3 innings, gave up 10 runs, and posted an 11:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The command wobbled, the dominance faded, and scouts were left scratching their heads—was it rust, pain, or something deeper?
Market for Michael King: Tigers Join a Crowded Field
Despite those medical questions, King’s upside has drawn plenty of interest. Proven frontline pitching rarely hits free agency without a big price tag, and teams seem willing to gamble that 2025 was the blip, not 2024.
Yankees, Cubs, Blue Jays, Marlins—and Now the Tigers
King’s already been linked to the Yankees, Cubs, Blue Jays, and Marlins. But honestly, Toronto and Miami don’t look like real options right now, mostly due to other roster needs and budget stuff.
The Detroit Tigers have now surfaced as a legit candidate. Detroit’s quietly built a young, competitive core, but they still need more rotation depth behind their rising star.
Why King Is Leaving San Diego
The San Diego Padres gave King a qualifying offer. They clearly value his talent, but maybe don’t want to commit long-term.
In October, they picked Yu Darvish over King to start a crucial playoff game. That said a lot about who they trusted most when it counted.
King turned down the one-year qualifying offer. He’s looking for a multi-year deal and, by all accounts, won’t be back in San Diego.
Why Michael King Makes Sense for the Tigers
For Detroit, the interest in King is about both need and upside. The Tigers want to shift from rebuilding to contending, and that means they need to shore up their rotation.
Rotation Behind Tarik Skubal Needs a True No. 2
Tarik Skubal has turned into a legit ace. Behind him, though, things get murky.
There’s promise here, but also plenty of volatility. The Tigers don’t have a clear, proven number two starter behind Skubal, and they know how fast injuries can wreck a season.
King’s Fit: Starter, Safety Net, and Ceiling Play
For Detroit, King checks several boxes at once:
The risk is hard to ignore—shoulder and knee problems don’t just vanish. Still, the upside is tempting. If Michael King stays on the field, the Tigers could suddenly have a real one-two punch at the front of their rotation. That’s the kind of thing that can shift a team from fringe contender to genuine threat in the American League.
Here is the source article for this story: Tigers Have Interest In Michael King
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s