Padres Ace Hits Free Agency as Mets Face Call to Pursue Him
WHO:
NY Post - King is expected to be among the most coveted starting pitchers on the free-agent market.
MLB.com - Right-handed pitcher Michael King, the San Diego Padres’ starter, declined a player option and became a free agent.
Newsweek - The New York Mets are being urged to pursue King to strengthen their rotation.
MLB Trade Rumors - King’s previous club, the Padres, have an exclusive negotiating window with him before he can sign with another team.
MLB.com - King was a headlining piece in the trade that sent Juan Soto from the Padres to the New York Yankees before the 2024 season.
MLB Trade Rumors - The top tier of available starting pitchers is led by Tarik Skubal; King is grouped in the next tier with Trevor Rogers, Freddy Peralta and Kaima Taira.
WHAT:
MLB.com - King’s 2026 ERA of 3.21 improved on his 3.44 ERA in 2025; his strikeout and walk rates fell, while his ground-ball rate rose.
MLB Trade Rumors - King’s $5 million buyout leaves $53 million in potential remaining contract value unclaimed.
MLB.com - The Padres had not confirmed Michael King’s decision to decline his player option, according to the report.
MLB.com - King recorded a 3.21 ERA in 32 starts in 2026 and accrued a career-high 4.3 Baseball-Reference WAR.
MLB Trade Rumors - King pitched 185 innings over 32 starts in 2026. His ERA improved from 3.44 in 2025 to 3.21 in 2026; his strikeout and walk rates declined, while his ground-ball rate increased.
MLB.com - In the postseason, King allowed one run in 12 innings over two starts, striking out 14. He then earned a save against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, pitching two scoreless innings.
MLB Trade Rumors - King posted a 0.64 ERA over three postseason appearances.
MLB.com - King owns a 3.23 career ERA, including a 3.15 ERA in 78 games, 77 of them starts, with the Padres.
MLB.com - King’s deal was a three-year, $75 million contract with opt-outs after each of its first two seasons. He received a $12 million signing bonus and a $5 million salary in 2026; declining the option triggers a $5 million buyout.
MLB Trade Rumors - The contract included a $28 million player option for 2027 with a $5 million buyout and a $30 million player option for 2028. King chose the buyout, giving up $53 million in potential remaining contract value.
MLB Trade Rumors - A multi-year free-agent contract guaranteeing about $100 million could be possible for King.
MLB.com - The Padres’ only rotation player guaranteed to return in 2027 is Randy Vásquez; Nick Pivetta has a club option. Walker Buehler, Robbie Ray, Casey Mize and Lucas Giolito are free agents; Yu Darvish is considering retirement, and Joe Musgrove’s future role is uncertain.
MLB Trade Rumors - The Padres’ potential 2027 rotation includes Randy Vásquez, JP Sears, Jhony Brito, and possibly Musgrove and/or Pivetta. Walker Buehler, Robbie Ray, Casey Mize, Griffin Canning and Lucas Giolito are free agents.
MLB Trade Rumors - Musgrove’s recovery from Tommy John surgery continued through 2026, leaving uncertainty about whether he can start in 2027.
WHERE:
MLB.com - King played for the San Diego Padres; his postseason save came against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Newsweek - The New York Mets are identified as a potential suitor for King.
WHEN:
MLB Trade Rumors - King’s exclusive negotiating period with the Padres lasts five days; eligible free agents can sign with any club at 4:00 pm Central time on November 2.
MLB.com - King will enter free agency ahead of his age-32 season.
WHY:
MLB Trade Rumors - King’s shoulder and knee injuries late in 2025 limited his earning prospects when he entered free agency last winter; he remained healthy in 2026.
MLB Trade Rumors - King’s health concerns had limited his earning prospects the previous offseason after shoulder and knee injuries affected the latter part of his 2025 season. He remained healthy in 2026, strengthening his free-agent position.
MLB Trade Rumors - The Padres need multiple starting pitchers because of departures, uncertainty about Musgrove’s role, and a rotation described as not strong on paper.
MLB Trade Rumors - King has expressed fondness for San Diego and appears open to returning; the Padres also want him back.
HOW:
MLB Trade Rumors - King’s contract was technically a $75 million guarantee, structured as a $12 million signing bonus, a $5 million salary in 2026, a $28 million player option for 2027 with a $5 million buyout, and a $30 million player option for 2028. Declining the 2027 option left $53 million in potential contract value unclaimed.
Padres starter Michael King declined his option, entering free agency after a healthy season. He posted a 3.21 ERA across 32 starts and excelled in the postseason. San Diego can negotiate exclusively for five days; the Mets are potential suitors.