Bold statement: Michael King represents one of the most intriguing risk-reward bets among starting pitchers, a talent who can anchor a staff when fully healthy but carries significant durability questions after a shoulder nerve injury. And this is the part most people miss: the market still views him as a potential front-line presence, even as teams weigh the risk against long-term value.
King is widely regarded as a top-10 arm when right, yet his recent platform season was derailed by a nerve issue in his throwing shoulder. He also comes with draft compensation attached for declining the qualifying offer from San Diego. Despite these red flags, multiple clubs have expressed interest. The Cubs, Tigers, and Yankees were known targets, and even the Marlins inquired as a long-shot option. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand and The New York Post’s Joel Sherman note that the Mets are in the mix, with Feinsand also listing the Orioles, Angels, and Padres on the periphery, and Sherman mentioning the Red Sox’s interest.
King made a transition to a full-time rotation role with the Yankees in 2023 and then thrived after being shipped to San Diego as the centerpiece of the Juan Soto deal. In 2024, he placed seventh in NL Cy Young voting with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts over 31 appearances. He started 2025 exceptionally well, delivering 10 straight starts with a 2.59 ERA and a robust 28% strikeout rate before the shoulder trouble resurfaced.
Durability remains the defining concern. The shoulder issue was not structural but proved more troublesome than expected, causing nearly three months on the sidelines and rust upon returning. In the final stretch, he allowed 12 runs in 17 1/3 innings across five appearances, with velocity intact but only 12 strikeouts and nine walks in that span.
Before the injury, King seemed poised for a nine-figure contract. However, the 2024 season is the only one in which he exceeded 105 innings, largely due to usage patterns with the Yankees and prior missed time from 2021 (finger injury) and 2022 (elbow fracture). MLB Trade Rumors projected an four-year, $80 million deal for King, though a shorter contract with an opt-out remains a plausible path for him to regain free-agent leverage next winter. ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted that King is open to shorter terms than the elite arms, though a four-year arrangement isn’t off the table if an out clause is included.
For the Mets, the objective should be a mid-rotation or better arm, acquired through free agency or trade. Their decision to avoid the top-tier rotation market last winter backfired somewhat as the season progressed, evidenced by a 5.31 rotation ERA in the second half—the highest among clubs outside the trio of Rockies, Nationals, and Angels. Nolan McLean looks like a future frontline option for them, but he is currently their lone pitcher under 4.20 ERA after the All-Star break.
Other teams in the market include Baltimore, Boston, San Diego, and the Angels. Boston may want to pivot away after adding Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo via trade. The Angels have already added two starters but remain concerned about Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah’s health questions, while keeping one eye on potential targets like Zac Gallen. The Orioles remain engaged with Valdez and Suárez, keeping all options open. San Diego is unlikely to re-sign King given the current spending landscape, and they also require multiple rotation additions after losing Cease and Yu Darvish to free agency and injury, respectively.
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