Michael King's 4.3 WAR season has put him squarely on the Blue Jays' radar. The right-hander hits the open market as free agency opens Monday.

He declined his player option with the Padres, MLB.com's AJ Cassavell reported Thursday. He'll be one of the top arms available entering his age-32 season.

SI's Scott Roche believes Toronto should be first in line. “He makes perfect sense for Toronto,” Roche wrote.

The 2026 numbers back it up. King went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA over 32 starts.

He struck out 159 batters across a career-high 185 innings.

Where would he slot? Near the top.

Michael King already knows the AL East from his Yankees years

Roche pointed to King's history in the division. He spent five seasons with the Yankees before heading to San Diego in 2024.

That matters in a division where, as Roche put it, “you can never have enough starting pitching.”

Toronto's current group features Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, José Soriano and Cody Ponce. King would give John Schneider another reliable arm before or after Yesavage.

Durability is the priority. MLB.com's Keegan Matheson noted the Jays are trying to find “that line now between bad luck and controllable variables.”

King is the right target, but Toronto has to be decisive. He made $25 million with the Padres, and the Jays shouldn't flinch at a four-year deal in that range.

Hesitating on King would be like waiting for a better parking spot at a packed mall. By the time you circle back, someone else has taken it.

The lockout looming on Dec. 1 adds urgency. Top free agents will want deals done before the market freezes.

Toronto needs bats more than arms. But landing a starter early would let Ross Atkins spend the rest of November chasing the power the lineup desperately needs.