Padres 30-year-old hurler remains top target for Mets: insider

The New York Mets need to make some big moves this offseason after losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz in free agency during the winter meetings.

The Mets had a disastrous finish to their season, narrowly missing the playoffs after losing to the Miami Marlins in the last game of the regular season. New York should still pursue some of the top remaining players in free agency, especially with Alonso and Diaz’s contracts coming off the books.

The Mets need more starting pitching this offseason, and San Diego Padres hurler Michael King remains one of the team’s top free agency targets, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

“With the salaries of Alonso, Edwin Díaz and Nimmo off the books, there is plenty of room in the payroll to pursue one of the outfielders, who figure to command the most of any hitters remaining on the market,” Feinsand wrote Wednesday. “The Mets are also looking to add a starting pitcher – Michael King remains a top target, though a trade for somebody like Freddy Peralta could be the preference – and another reliever, with Robert Suarez among the arms being discussed.”

King is one of the best pitchers still available in free agency. The 30-year-old has flourished after transitioning into a starting pitcher the past two seasons with the Padres, posting a 3.10 ERA with 277 strikeouts in 45 starts. Despite being limited to only 15 starts last season due to injury, King will still be heavily pursued this offseason.

The Mets reportedly had a video meeting with King earlier this week, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman, but are not the only team interested in the 30-year-old pitcher. The Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers have also reportedly shown interest in signing the veteran hurler.

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