The Atlanta Braves desperately need to add a starting pitcher this winter after losing both Max Fried and Charlie Morton to free agency. Atlanta was reportedly eyeing free agent Jack Flaherty, but Flaherty recently agreed to terms on a deal with the Detroit Tigers. FanSided’s Mark Powell recently suggested the Braves could pivot from Flaherty to San Diego Padres ace Michael King. King is reportedly available in a trade this winter.

“So, rather than force a trade for Cease – who has just one year left on his deal anyway, mind you – Atlanta could land Michael King, who is also reportedly up for grabs,” Powell wrote. “The issue, per FanSided MLB Insider Robert Murray, is that the structure of King’s contract makes it more likely San Diego will hang onto him beyond this season. So, the Padres aren’t necessarily inclined to trade him.

“King was phenomenal last season, and in a larger market would have received his due. In 30 starts, King went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA, good for a career-best 4.2 WAR. That is not the kind of production which will come cheap via trade, but it’s worth a shot for the Braves, which desperately could use some front-end pitching help as they await Spencer Strider’s return from injury.”

King is one of the top pitchers left on the market, especially after Flaherty came off the board. It might be less likely for the Padres to deal their superstar after locking down a mutual option for 2026, but it’s still something worth pursuing for the Braves. Either way, Atlanta needs to add one or two starting pitchers before opening day, or else it’s going to struggle quite a bit to begin the season.