The Detroit Tigers are at a critical juncture this offseason. After back-to-back postseason appearances, the franchise is no longer just trying to claw its way into October-they’re aiming to stay there.
But sustaining that momentum is going to take more than just internal growth. It’s going to take reinforcements, particularly on the mound.
At the top of the list: keeping Tarik Skubal in the fold and pairing him with another frontline starter. Enter Michael King.
According to recent reports, Detroit has its sights set on the 30-year-old right-hander, who’s coming off two impressive seasons with the San Diego Padres. King has emerged as one of the more intriguing arms on the free agent market this winter.
But his path to this point hasn’t been traditional. Before finding success in San Diego’s rotation, King spent five seasons with the Yankees-mostly working out of the bullpen.
What makes King such a compelling target for the Tigers is his diverse pitch mix. He’s got five pitches in his bag: a sinker, four-seamer, changeup, sweeper, and slider.
His fastball sits around 93 mph-not overpowering by today’s standards-but it comes with an above-average whiff rate. Still, it’s the changeup that really sets him apart.
That pitch doesn’t just miss bats; it limits damage. And that fits right into Detroit’s pitching philosophy.
The Tigers have made it clear they value arms that can neutralize contact-especially with changeups and splitters. But there’s a wrinkle here: King turned down both a $15 million mutual option with the Padres and a $22.05 million qualifying offer.
That means any team that signs him will have to surrender a compensation draft pick-something Detroit doesn’t take lightly. They’ve built through the draft and aren’t eager to part with future assets unless the return is worth it.
Health is another factor. King’s had his share of injury concerns over the years. But when he’s right, he profiles as a high-end starter who could slot in beautifully behind Skubal and give Detroit a formidable one-two punch atop the rotation.
But the Tigers aren’t stopping there.
They’re also eyeing bullpen help, and Pete Fairbanks is firmly on their radar. The 31-year-old right-hander is one of the top relievers available this winter after a strong season with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Fairbanks logged 60.1 innings with a 2.83 ERA and racked up a career-best 27 saves. Tampa declined his $11 million option for 2026, making him a free agent-and a potential game-changer for a Detroit bullpen that struggled in high-leverage situations.
That’s a major area of need. While the Tigers already have five bullpen spots likely locked in-Will Vest, Tyler Holton, Brenan Hanifee, Brant Hurter, and Beau Brieske-only Vest has shown he can be trusted when the stakes are high.
The rest of the group has promise, but Detroit needs more swing-and-miss stuff when the game’s on the line. That’s where Fairbanks comes in.
He’s not just a hard-throwing righty with closer experience-he’s the kind of presence who can anchor a bullpen and shorten games. And if the Tigers are serious about making another run in October, that’s exactly the kind of arm they need to add.
Bottom line: Detroit’s offseason is shaping up to be aggressive, and rightly so. With a young core in place and expectations rising, the front office knows the time to strike is now.
Adding Michael King and Pete Fairbanks would send a clear message-not just to the fanbase, but to the rest of the American League: the Tigers aren’t just here to compete. They’re here to contend.