The Chicago Cubs are a popular landing spot suggested for Padres free-agent right-handed pitcher Michael King.
Already this offseason, both ESPN and MLB.com have linked King to the Cubbies.
And now, the Cubs' fanbase might be surprised to learn that King can come at a relative bargain cost.
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel released a projection for a King contract on Thursday: three years and $57 million.
MORE: Inside the kind of college basketball win that only happens in Syracuse, N.Y.
If the Cubs can get King for that, after Dylan Cease signed for seven years and $210 million with the Blue Jays, Chicago should get the contract signed as soon as possible.
"An eight-figure decision isn't as simple as 'he should just throw more strikes, but King looked like a nine-figure free agent before some injuries that now seem behind him, stuff that was the same throughout it, and some location tweaks," McDaniel writes. "That seems like a nice gamble in a world where a No. 3/No. 4 starter goes for $15-20 million per year."
MORE: Famous rapper Toosii commits to play college football in the ACC
King made it to the major leagues as a relief pitcher with the Yankees, but he followed the growing track of reliever turned starter who maintains much of his same nasty stuff in the rotation.
If King can stay healthy and consistent, he can vastly outperform a deal that pays him less than $20 million per year.
The Cubs certainly aren't the only team interested. But they have the potential to be one of the best teams in baseball, and King's upside could be too much to ignore, especially at that cost.
More news:
- Vandy, Miami urged to play 13th game in Hawaii as a CFP qualifier
- Giants need Jaxson Dart to learn a lesson from Drake Maye
- Rajon Rondo's son is getting buckets as an 8th grader on varsity
- 4-star WR FatRat Brown just made a college commitment flip
- Tom Brady's niece is the No. 1 pick as a superstar in her sport's draft
- Giannis Antetokounmpo's social media changes point to a trade request