Blue Jays closing in on Padres starting pitcher
Photo credit: MLB
As of right now the Toronto Blue Jays only have three starting pitchers, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage and Kevin Gausman, they desperately need to find two more, and one player on their radar is right hander Michael King from the San Diego Padres.
King has proved that when he's healthy he can be one of the best pitchers in baseball, and he would be a great fit for the Blue Jays.
King could be the answer to the Blue Jays problems.
Ryley Delaney of Blue Jays Nation wrote on the potential King could have with the Blue Jays. He had a terrific year in 2024, and 2025 was riddled with injuries but the right hander could easily fill in the 4th slot if he can remain healthy all season.
"In the 2023/24 off-season, King was part of the package sent to the San Diego Padres to land Juan Soto. The Padres gave King his first real chance as a starter, and he excelled. King started 30 of his 31 appearances and had a 2.95 ERA and 3.33 FIP in 173.2 innings pitched. The right-handed pitcher also finished the year with a 27.7 K% and 8.7 BB%.
In 2025 he only managed 73 innings, because of injury, and had one of his worst seasons to date with a 3.44 ERA and 4.42 FIP along with a 24.7 K% and an 8.4 BB% which is still very solid.
At the end of the season, King declined his mutual option and was given a qualifying offer worth $22.05 million. He has until Tuesday November 18 to decide whether to accept it.
In 2025 he only managed 73 innings, because of injury, and had one of his worst seasons to date with a 3.44 ERA and 4.42 FIP along with a 24.7 K% and an 8.4 BB% which is still very solid.
At the end of the season, King declined his mutual option and was given a qualifying offer worth $22.05 million. He has until Tuesday November 18 to decide whether to accept it.
"If the Jays were to sign King, they'd lose their second-round pick and fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft (unless Bo Bichette signs elsewhere, in which case they won't receive that pick). Additionally, they'll lose $1 million in International Free Agency bonus pool money for the 2027 class."-Delaney
If King were to join the Blue Jays it would be one step closer to having their rotations figured out. It was arguably the thing that separated them from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, and they need a solid rotation to get the job done next season.
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