Following the conclusion of the 2026 MLB season, San Diego Padres beginning pitcher Michael King, who spent a portion of his profession with the New York Yankees, declined his participant choice for 2027 and is turning into a free agent.
And whereas the Yankees have reportedly been being attentive to King as he enters free company, one other MLB Insider believes that he can be an ideal match to return to the American League East Division – however not with New York.
MLB Insider Hyperlinks Former New York Yankees Pitcher Michael King To The AL East Rival Toronto Blue Jays
In accordance with Scott Roche of Sports activities Illustrated, King signing with the Toronto Blue Jays would make “excellent” sense.
Roche wrote:
“Final offseason, right-handed pitcher Michael King examined free company and drew numerous curiosity from American League golf equipment. The three names talked about probably the most have been the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Purple Sox. A return to the Bronx appeared like an extended shot. Nonetheless, when the mud settled, he re-signed with the San Diego Padres, however he declined his choice and is now obtainable to signal anyplace.
He makes excellent sense for Toronto. He spent 5 seasons with the Yankees earlier than going to the Padres in 2024, and he has been excellent for San Diego. This previous season, he went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 32 begins with a career-high 185 innings. He had 159 strikeouts and a 4.3 WAR.
Proper now, the Blue Jays rotation may seem like Dylan Stop, Trey Yesavage, Jose Soriano, and Cody Ponce. Bringing in King, he would slot in on the prime, both earlier than or after Yesavage, for supervisor John Schneider. Toronto has perhaps greater points to handle, however you’ll be able to by no means have sufficient beginning pitching, particularly within the AL East.”
This previous season with the Padres, King went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP together with 159 strikeouts.
Michael King Beforehand Performed For The Yankees
King was chosen by the Miami Marlins within the twelfth spherical of the 2016 MLB Draft. After reaching the Class A affiliate Greensboro Grasshoppers in his first season, he went 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA there in 2017.
The New York Yankees acquired King from Miami in November 2017. He climbed by means of three minor-league ranges in 2018 earlier than making his MLB debut for New York towards the Texas Rangers in September 2019.
King broke out in 2021, posting a 3.55 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 63⅓ innings and throwing an immaculate inning towards Boston. An elbow fracture restricted him to 51⅓ innings in 2022.
He moved from the Yankees’ bullpen into their rotation in 2023, posting a 1.88 ERA as a starter. New York then traded him to San Diego within the Juan Soto deal.
King thrived as a Padres starter in 2024, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts. After accidents interrupted his 2025 season, he signed a three-year, $75 million extension.
He was dominant within the 2026 playoffs earlier than declining his participant choice in late October.
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