King: Giants' ace despite injury history

Conor Liguori

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Michael King could be Giants' ace despite injury history image

TL;DR

  • San Francisco Giants need starting pitchers beyond Logan Webb to compete.
  • Michael King is a suggested target for the Giants' rotation.
  • King rejected the Padres' qualifying offer and could sign a 3-year deal.
  • Despite injury history, King's performance makes him a smart pursuit for the Giants.

Beyond Logan Webb, the San Francisco Giants must acquire several pitchers for their starting rotation ahead of the upcoming season. 

While Webb stands as the Giants' clear top pitcher, the team requires additional star talent to contend against the leading clubs in the NL West, namely the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. 

On Tuesday, after right-handed pitcher Michael King rejected the Padres' qualifying offer of $22.05 million, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller suggested San Francisco as a fitting destination for the 30-year-old. 

"The expectation is that he won't get a particularly long-term deal, but King may well end up with the most uniquely structured contract of the winter," wrote Miller. "Our official prediction is a straightforward 3/$69M to the Giants, who desperately need starting pitching." 

King's injury history 

King started his career as a versatile player for the New York Yankees, eventually earning a permanent starting role in the final months of the 2023 season. 

He was the centerpiece in the trade that saw Juan Soto move from the Padres to the Yankees last offseason. Before acquiring King, San Diego's front office was aware that he had hit the injured list more than a few times, including a fractured right elbow in 2022. 

Over the past two seasons, King averaged slightly less than 23 starts annually, but in 2025, he managed only 15 starts because of inflammation in his shoulder and knee.

A 12-strikeout performance against the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series and a seventh-place finish in the 2024 Cy Young voting are just two examples of why pursuing King would be a smart move by the Giants. When healthy, he is one of the best pitchers in MLB and features an above-average sinker and sweeper. 

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Editorial Team