{"id":110979,"date":"2025-12-19T01:51:03","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T06:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=110979"},"modified":"2025-12-19T01:51:03","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T06:51:03","slug":"mets-miss-out-michael-king-among-other-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/19\/mets-miss-out-michael-king-among-other-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"Mets Miss Out on Michael King, Other Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Mets missed out on yet another free agent target. This time, it was right-handed starter Michael King, who re-signed with the San Diego Padres on Thursday, according to reports.<\/p>\n

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Aug 19, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (34) pitches during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Where the Mets Stood on Michael King<\/h2>\n

Ever since Dylan Cease<\/a> and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed<\/a> to a seven-year, $210 million deal, the starting pitching market has moved slowly. As of December 19, top arms such as Framber Valdez<\/a>, Ranger Su\u00e1rez<\/a>, and Tatsuya Imai<\/a> remain available. While the Mets met with Valdez and his representatives at the General Manager meetings in Las Vegas, the club reportedly does not intend to match what Valdez reportedly commands – a six-year deal. They are also not expected to commit to long-term contracts on any starter, for that matter. Instead, they are reportedly targeting “mid-tier” starters, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Top League Content<\/h4>\n

The Mets, however, are willing to spend aggressively on a pitcher if the commitment stays short-term. Michael King fit that profile. The right-hander will return to the city he has called home for the past two seasons.\u00a0 As first reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, King<\/a> agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal to return to the Padres late Thursday. The deal includes opt-outs after years one and two (2026 and 2027). Despite reported interest from the Mets and three AL East teams (the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles), King elected to stay in San Diego.<\/p>\n

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King’s deal is for three years and $75M, per source. Includes a $12M signing bonus, then salaries of $5M in 2026, $28M player option in 2027 ($5M buyout), and a $30M player option in 2028 (no buyout).<\/p>\n

So it will either be worth $22M for one year, $45M for two or $75M for three.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n