The 2025 free agent class of starting pitchers is relatively weak, in a year when almost everyone wants a starting pitcher. The Tigers don't strictly need one after Jack Flaherty exercised his player option to stay with the club in 2026, but Flaherty isn't the ideal No. 2 behind Tarik Skubal. Reese Olson, Casey Mize, and Troy Melton don't fill out that profile very well either.
Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, and Michael King lead the starting pitching market, but the Tigers could have a cheaper option in former Pirates reliever Cody Ponce.