The Detroit Tigers have made a few moves this offseason. Earlier in the month, they signed Gleyber Torres to a one-year, $15 million deal. On Wednesday, they signed reliever Tommy Kahnle to a one-year, $7.75 million deal.
However, they shouldn’t be done just yet, as there are still needs to fill. A top of the rotation arm would help them separate themselves from the rest of the pack in the American League Central.
The San Diego Padres are shopping right-hander Michael King. He enjoyed a strong 2024 season, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA in 30 starts and one relief appearance.
King also pitched 173 2/3 innings, striking out 201 batters and posting a 4.2 WAR.
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports lists Detroit as a potential fit.
“Detroit’s only rotation addition this offseason is Alex Cobb, who made five starts around injuries last year (postseason included). Top prospect Jackson Jobe is likely to have an innings restriction as well. The AL Central is so winnable. Adding King could be what separates the Tigers in the race. See how interested the Padres are in outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy and righty Matt Manning, and go from there.”
The Tigers need a front of the rotation arm if they want to emerge as the clear favorites in a winnable AL Central. King could be a perfect fit for them.
While he is entering the final year of his contract, Detroit has plenty of solid young players they can dangle in trade talks to get a deal done, and because their farm system is so strong, it wouldn’t hurt them too much to trade away a few prospects.
It will be interesting to see if the Tigers decide to pursue the 29-year-old right-hander.
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