Mets Miss Out on Michael King, Other Notes

Where the Mets Stood on Michael King

Ever since Dylan Cease and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a seven-year, $210 million deal, the starting pitching market has moved slowly. As of December 19, top arms such as Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, and Tatsuya Imai 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.

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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.  As first reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, King 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.

King and the Mets held discussions over a video call during the Winter Meetings in Orlando. Those discussions were rumored to go well. While owner Steve Cohen still has significant financial flexibility following the departures of Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso, it’s unclear at this time whether the Mets made a formal offer for the 30-year-old or not.

King, who attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island and pitched at Boston College, had a crowded market and sifted through possibilities before ultimately re-signing with the Padres.

How the Mets Can Pivot

The Mets can either sign a starter from the open market or trade for one. If they decide to take the free agent route, they will likely target a “mid-tier” starter. The list includes: Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito, Nick Martinez, Zack Littell, Tyler Mahle, German Marquez, Walker Buehler, Patrick Corbin, and Michael Lorenzen. If they decide to trade for a starter, options include: Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, MacKenzie Gore, Edward Cabrera, Sandy Alcantara, Kris Bubic, Nick Pivetta, and Mitch Keller.

What’s the Deal With Jett Williams?

Jett Williams, the Mets’ No. 3 prospect according to MLB.com, continues to surface in trade discussions this offseason. The 22-year-old faces a difficult path to the majors with the Mets. After adding Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco, the organization no longer appears positioned to promote Williams in 2026. The Mets’ infield now projects as something like this: Brett Baty and Francisco Lindor on the left side, and Semien and Polanco on the right, leaving little immediate opportunity. That’s not to mention Jeff McNeil (the team’s primary second baseman in 2025), Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuna. Though the Mets are “open” to moving that group, all four remain on the roster.

The Mets selected Williams 14th overall in the first round of the 2022 draft and will face a key decision after the 2026 season, when he becomes Rule 5 eligible. If the organization does not plan to give him a clear major-league role, it would behoove the Mets to include him in trade discussions – for the right price – rather than hold him simply to hold him. Williams split the 2025 season between Double-A and Triple-A, posting a .261 average with 17 home runs, 52 RBI and a .828 OPS. He is expected to open the 2026 season at Triple-A.

More Notes

According to Francys Romero of Beisbol FR, Dominican shortstop prospect Wandy Asigen opted out of his contract with the Yankees and has agreed to sign a deal with the Mets for around $3.8 million when the new international signing period opens on Jan. 15, 2026. Asigen is the No. 2 prospect in the upcoming international class, according to MLB Pipeline.

The Mets and pitcher Kevin Herget agreed to terms on a minor league deal on Thursday, with an invitation to major league spring training. He appeared in six games with the club in 2025, logging 12 innings and allowing just four earned runs.