Tigers Rumors: Padres turmoil could create perfect trade opportunity for Detroit

While the Detroit Tigers' reliance on bullpen games was a fun anecdote in their Cinderella run to the ALDS in 2024, the starting rotation is something they need to address going into 2025.

Right now, the Tigers' starting rotation for 2025 consists of Tarik Skubal, Alex Cobb, Reese Olson and Jackson Jobe. While that group certainly has potential, it hardly sounds like a rotation capable of making an exceptionally deep postseason run, which, presumably, is the Tigers' goal in 2025. Skubal is Skubal, and Olson has No. 2 starter potential as long as his shoulder injury from last season hasn't diminished his effectiveness in the long term. But Cobb has to miraculously stay healthy at the age of 37 after injuries limited him to just three appearances last season. Jobe still has to earn a rotation spot this spring.

As it stands now, the fifth starter would likely be Casey Mize or Keider Montero. Mize is capable of filling the role, but Detroit's choice to decline his club option for 2025 doesn't exactly scream confidence in his ability to bounce back this season. Montero is talented and had a promising rookie season, but he is still relatively unproven.

All of this is to say that the Tigers could – and should – look to strengthen their pitching staff before Sspring training begins. We know they likely won't do it via free agency, and their options at this point would be limited if they did. But a trade could still be worth exploring, especially if that trade is for San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King.

Tigers Rumors: Padres turmoil could create perfect trade opportunity for Detroit

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) reported this week that King is "among the starting pitchers who remain in play" for the Padres as part of ongoing trade talks. King, whom the Padres received from the New York Yankees as part of the Juan Soto trade last offseason, had spent much of his career bouncing between the bullpen and the starting rotation. In San Diego, however, he became a bonafide starter and recorded a 2.95 ERA, a 27.7% strikeout rate and an 8.7% walk rate over 31 appearances (30 starts) last season. He also notched a 3.75 ERA over 12 postseason innings.

While King doesn't have a lengthy track record of starting experience, he would be a tremendous add to the Tigers' rotation. He and the Padres failed to reach an agreement before the arbitration deadline, but he filed at $8 million and could therefore be an affordable, short-term option for the Tigers in a trade. And he won't cost much as a rental. The Tigers have a surplus of assets they can part with, and can maybe even view King as an extension candidate.

Whether anything comes of the trade rumors involving King remains to be seen; but with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in just a few weeks, the Tigers are running out of time to shore up their rotation for Opening Day and should be dialed in on the trade market for help on that front.

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