Only seven pitchers have thrown at least 400 innings with an ERA under 3.00 since 2022. Whoever signs Michael King this offseason is going to be very happy.
Blue Jays: Michael King should be the top starting pitcher free agent target
Photo credit: © Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
By Ben Wrixon
Nov 20, 2025, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 20, 2025, 05:46 EST
It’s been widely reported that the Toronto Blue Jays are looking to add a starting pitcher via free agency this offseason — and Michael King should be the guy.
King declined a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer from the San Diego Padres on Tuesday to officially hit the open market. Whichever team signs him will lose a draft pick because of the QO, but that shouldn’t deter the Blue Jays from pursuing his services.
The 30-year-old pitched to a 3.44 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 73 ⅓ innings in 2025. He landed on the injured list in May due to a shoulder injury, then returned in August but only threw two innings before being sidelined again with a knee issue.
The right-hander’s 2024 campaign is a better representation of his talent. He finished seventh in National League Cy Young voting after working to a 2.95 ERA (139 ERA+) and a 10.4 K/9 over a career-high 173 ⅔ innings pitched. He’s a borderline ace when healthy who could absolutely raise the ceiling of the Blue Jays’ rotation rather than just its floor.
King doesn’t have a ton of mileage on his arm despite his age. He has thrown fewer than 500 innings throughout his career, having spent his first five seasons as a reliever with the New York Yankees. He shouldn’t run out of gas anytime soon.
However, King might also be inclined to sign a short-term deal that includes an opt-out after the 2026 season — an arrangement the Blue Jays should be open to considering.
While yes, the club needs long-term pieces in the rotation with Kevin Gausman only under contract for one more year, adding King on such a pact would be an all-in move for 2026 with little downside. King opting out after a healthy, effective campaign wouldn’t prevent both sides from working out a new deal. Conversely, if the injury bug bites King again, he likely wouldn’t exercise his opt-out and stay put on team-friendly terms.
The other big free agent starting pitchers are not without their question marks, either. Dylan Cease, King’s former Padres teammate, recorded an ERA above 4.50 for the second time in the last three years in 2025. Framber Valdez is 32 and struggled to throw strikes and keep his cool down the stretch for the Houston Astros. Ranger Suárez, meanwhile, has durability concerns and doesn’t strike batters out at an elite clip.
King is the best option if the Blue Jays are serious about adding an impact pitcher.
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