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The MLB offseason has arrived, and the New York Mets are poised for a busy winter. After a second consecutive disappointing season, the franchise has significant roster work ahead, especially after previous offseason acquisitions failed to pan out, resulting in a last-place NL East finish for the first time since 2003.
New York is anticipated to address multiple needs, most notably the starting rotation. The club aims to add a frontline ace to complement three promising young arms: Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Zac Thornton. While Tarik Skubal headlines the free-agent class and will draw interest from many teams, including the Mets, another available starter could be an even better fit.
Michael King Hits Free Agency
Less than 24 hours after the World Series concluded, several players opted out of their contracts, including right-hander Michael King. King chose to forgo the final two years of a three-year, $75 million deal he signed with the San Diego Padres in December 2025 to pursue a long-term contract.
The 31-year-old is coming off an exceptional 2026 season. Across a career-high 32 starts, King went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA, 159 strikeouts, and a 1.18 WHIP over a career-best 185 innings. He was equally impressive in the postseason. In Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series, he held the Chicago Cubs hitless through 6 1/3 innings while striking out eight. In his next outing, Game 2 of the NLDS, he kept the Milwaukee Brewers hitless through 4 2/3 innings. Although the Padres fell in four games to the eventual World Series champion Brewers, King played a key role in San Diego reaching the postseason for a third straight year.
Where King Fits in the Mets Rotation
Entering 2027, the Mets appear to have three rotation spots secured by McLean, Scott, and Thornton. The remaining spots are uncertain. If New York signs King, slotting him atop the rotation alongside McLean would make the most sense. McLean is coming off a career-high 31 starts in 2026 and looks to have established himself as a No. 1 starter. While Scott and Thornton showed promise, Scott is entering just his third big-league season and had his first cut short by Tommy John surgery. Thornton made only 15 starts last year and may still need development time. Relying on both at the top of the rotation could be risky. Placing King as the likely second starter behind McLean would be more logical given his durability and strong 2026 campaign.
Contract Projections and Mets' Needs
According to Spotrac, King is expected to command a five-year, nearly $150 million free-agent contract. There is little doubt the Mets will attempt to match that offer. Starting pitching was a major factor in the Mets' disappointing 2026 season, so it stands to reason they will explore the free-agent market for upgrades. Michael King could be a significant acquisition to bolster New York's rotation.