​The Detroit Tigers suddenly have another intriguing option to consider as they search for starting pitching help this offseason.Right-hander Michael King, one of the most accomplished starters available in free agency, officially opted out of his contract with the San Diego Padres on Friday, opening the door for Detroit and other pitching-needy organizations to pursue the 31-year-old.And considering the Tigers’ significant questions surrounding their 2027 starting rotation, King could make plenty of sense.MLB.com previously identified the former All-MLB Second Team selection as a potential Detroit target. Now that King has officially elected free agency, the possibility deserves a closer look.Oct 6, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King (34) pitches during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the NLDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Michael King Makes Major Free Agency DecisionKing’s decision to opt out of his contract wasn’t exactly surprising, but the financial implications are significant.According to the October 30 announcement of King’s decision, the veteran right-hander walked away from the final two seasons of his three-year, $75 million contract with San Diego.King could have earned another $53 million through 2028. Instead, he accepted a $5 million buyout in hopes of securing a longer-term agreement.That tells us something important about his expectations.King isn’t simply looking for another opportunity to prove himself. He’s coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career and appears positioned to receive another substantial contract.During the 2026 regular season, King recorded the following numbers:Statistic2026 TotalGames Started32Record12-10ERA3.21Innings Pitched185Strikeouts159WHIP1.18Baseball-Reference WAR4.3Those numbers represent exactly the kind of dependable production Detroit could use near the top of its rotation.King also delivered during the postseason, allowing just one run across 12 innings in his two playoff starts before adding a two-inning save against Milwaukee.Why Michael King Makes Sense for Detroit TigersThe Tigers entered the offseason facing a situation few could have anticipated when the 2026 campaign began.Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize were both traded during the summer, leaving Detroit without two pitchers who were expected to play major roles in the organization’s future.As we previously examined while evaluating Detroit’s 2027 rotation, the Tigers have intriguing young arms but still lack the proven depth necessary to enter next season with complete confidence.Framber Valdez remains under contract, while Troy Melton, Jackson Jobe, Keider Montero, and River Ryan provide varying degrees of upside.However, potential and established production aren’t always the same thing.Jobe is still working his way back from Tommy J