Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, July 31, 2024, in Baltimore. (Image via AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File) Baltimore Orioles fans woke up to a radically different offseason reality once Pete Alonso put pen to paper. Now, with the ink barely dry, Baltimore’s front office is being linked to another potential franchise-altering move: a serious pursuit of San Diego Padres ace Michael King. If the Orioles can pull off this one-two punch, it would signal a full-throttle shift from rebuilding success story to legitimate AL East contender.
Baltimore Orioles’ Offseason Takes a Sharp Turn
The Baltimore Orioles’ signing of Alonso already reshaped expectations around the league. Pairing that move with a possible addition like King would address the two biggest flaws that torpedoed Baltimore’s 2025 season: a lack of right-handed power and a rotation that collapsed under injuries and inconsistency.Baltimore finished 2025 with a historically bad starting rotation, posting an ERA- of 161, the worst mark in the modern era. That context explains why the Orioles are now circling elite pitching options, even after committing significant money to Alonso.
Pete Alonso Brings the Power Baltimore Orioles Lacked
Pete Alonso officially joined the Baltimore Orioles on December 10, 2025, agreeing to a five-year, $155 million contract after leaving the New York Mets. The deal carries a $31 million average annual value, includes a $31 million signing bonus, and features no opt-outs or deferrals. Alonso also negotiated a limited no-trade clause, giving him stability as he enters his age-31 season. 
San Diego Padres’ pitcher Michael King (Image via Getty)
Baltimore targeted Alonso for a simple reason: right-handed power plays at Camden Yards, and the Orioles desperately needed it. Despite a down year by some underlying metrics, Alonso rebounded in 2024 with 34 home runs and timely postseason production. His Statcast profile remains elite, highlighted by massive max-exit velocity numbers and top-tier hard-hit rates.
Pete Alonso recent seasons:
YearAVGOBPSLGHROPSHard-Hit% 2024 .240 .329 .459 34 .788 54.4% 2025 (proj.)— 35+- 93.5 EV, 89 max distanceFor Baltimore, Alonso slots seamlessly into the heart of the order and immediately changes how opponents pitch to the Orioles’ young core.
Michael King Emerges as the Pitching Target
While Alonso addresses the lineup, Michael King represents the antidote to Baltimore’s rotation crisis.Michael King declined San Diego’s qualifying offer and entered free agency after two highly productive seasons with the Padres. In 2024, he finished seventh in National League Cy Young voting, posting a 3.10 ERA, a 3.65 FIP, and a 1.19 WHIP. Across his Padres tenure, King struck out 277 batters, showcasing a devastating slider and swing-and-miss arsenal.Injuries limited King to just 15 starts in 2025, but his underlying numbers remained strong enough to keep him firmly in the top tier of free-agent pitching options. At 30 years old, he profiles as a potential frontline starter without the decade-long commitment required for other aces.
Michael King pitching snapshot:
SpanERAFIPK/9StrikeoutsNotes 2024–25 3.10 3.65 ~11.0 277 7th in Cy Young voting, injuries in 2025 Career 3.24 — — 559 Former Yankee, proven AL East armBaltimore is reportedly competing with the Yankees and Red Sox for King’s signature, with projections suggesting a four-year, $80 million contract range.
Why a Trade Angle Still Exists
Although King is currently a free agent, trade concepts continue to circulate due to San Diego’s roster construction and Baltimore’s farm strength.A hypothetical scenario could involve Baltimore sending a prospect like Coby Mayo to San Diego in a sign-and-trade style framework, allowing the Orioles to avoid a bidding war while giving the Padres a controllable bat with real upside. Mayo is widely viewed as MLB-ready, with top-20 prospect hype built around his power and bat speed.From San Diego’s perspective, the Padres face rotation uncertainty following injuries to Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove. Acquiring young, cost-controlled talent while still collecting draft compensation if King walks keeps their long-term flexibility intact.
How the Fit Works for Baltimore Orioles
Adding Michael King would instantly stabilize a rotation that ranked among the worst in baseball. His strikeout rate and durability when healthy fit a club that struggled to protect leads and survive early deficits.The combined impact of Alonso and King would address both ends of the run differential problem that plagued the Orioles in 2025.
Baltimore’s potential gains:
San Diego Padres (Image Source: Getty)
• A true middle-of-the-order power bat tailored for Camden Yards • A legitimate No. 1 starter to anchor a battered rotation • Continued use of farm depth without gutting payroll flexibility • Increased credibility in AL East playoff races
Risks the Baltimore Orioles Must Weigh
Alonso’s defense and body type raise long-term concerns, particularly as the contract progresses into his mid-30s. King, meanwhile, carries recent injury red flags that could be magnified in the AL East’s high-stress environment.There is also the financial picture. A combined commitment north of $235 million would represent a significant philosophical shift for Baltimore, testing ownership’s willingness to sustain a higher payroll over multiple seasons.
Padres’ Perspective if a Deal Materializes
For San Diego, moving on from King would be painful but pragmatic.
Pros for the Padres:
• Immediate infusion of young, controllable talent • Avoiding long-term pitching risk amid injury concerns • Maintaining flexibility while addressing rotation depth indirectlyCons: • Losing a Cy Young-caliber arm at peak value • Relying on prospects to replace proven production • Limited impact from compensation picks if King leaves anyway
My Two Cents on this Mock Trade
Whether through free agency or creative trade construction, Baltimore’s pursuit of Michael King following the Pete Alonso signing sends a clear message. The Orioles are no longer content to simply compete; they are aiming to win now.Also read: MLB trade rumors: Philadelphia Phillies predicted to extend $115 million superwtar’s contract after Adolis Garcia’s blockbuster acquisitionIf both moves come together, Baltimore would transform from a 75-win disappointment into a legitimate playoff threat, powered by elite power in the lineup and swing-and-miss dominance on the mound. For a franchise long defined by patience, this offseason feels like a turning point.