Report: Cubs have King on radar to improve rotation
The Chicago Cubs are looking to upgrade their starting rotation this offseason and have their eyes on one of the top arms available.
Chicago has right-hander Michael King on its radar and views him as a starter with a lot of upside when healthy, sources told Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.
King made only 15 starts for the San Diego Padres last season while dealing with shoulder and knee ailments, but he's expected to command ample interest after posting a 3.10 ERA in 247 innings over the past two campaigns.
The Cubs could use another arm in the rotation after southpaw Shota Imanaga became a free agent earlier this month when Chicago rejected an option in his contract. Additionally, left-hander Justin Steele is recovering from elbow ligament surgery.
The Padres offered King a one-year, $22.025-million qualifying offer. He is expected to decline it before the Nov. 18 deadline and join free agency in the process.
Chicago is showing a willingness to sign players attached to qualifying offers this offseason, sources told Sharma and Mooney.