Michael King Opts Out, Hits Free Agency

The Padres right-hander declined his player option and became a free agent, with the Toronto Blue Jays reportedly in line to pursue him.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Baseball

Michael King declined the player option on his contract with the San Diego Padres and became a free agent. Sources told MLB.com about the decision, and the Padres did not confirm the news.

Why it matters

The Toronto Blue Jays' 2026 rotation was frequently plagued by injuries, including Tommy John surgery for José Berríos and repeated IL stints for Max Scherzer. King's availability gives Toronto a potential top-of-rotation arm to pair with Dylan Cease.

King posted a 4.3 WAR and 159 strikeouts across a career-high 185 innings in 2026, per season statistics. His final contract outcome and next team remain unknown.

The players

Michael King

A right-handed pitcher who posted a 3.21 ERA with the Padres in 2026 and became a free agent after declining his player option.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Major League Baseball club based in Toronto that is predicted to pursue King to bolster its starting rotation.

The details

King moved from the New York Yankees to the Padres in 2024 and made $25 million with San Diego before opting out of his deal. Toronto is predicted to pursue him, with projections placing him at the top of the Blue Jays rotation before or after Trey Yesavage.

2024: King moved from the Yankees to the Padres.
2025: The Blue Jays season ended against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2026: The Blue Jays season was disappointing, with rotation injuries.
Oct. 29, 2026: King's core free agency event date.

Season Trajectory

King's free agency comes after a disappointing 2026 Blue Jays season marked by rotation injuries, including Berríos's Tommy John surgery. Adding a durable arm like King could shift Toronto's competitive standing heading into next season.

If King signs with Toronto, the Blue Jays rotation would shift to Dylan Cease, King, Trey Yesavage, and the remaining arms, changing how fantasy managers project the team's starting pitching. Any signing would be the next visible move for both teams' rosters.

The takeaway

King's decision to decline his player option shows how quickly a single season can reshape a starting rotation's outlook. Readers following the Blue Jays should watch how Toronto addresses its pitching depth before the next campaign begins.