Marlins are among teams showing interest in free agent right-hander Michael Kingvia Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic. Miami has also been frequently linked to notable bullpen prospects in the early stages of the offseason, and the Fish clearly plan to spend more money on free agents than they have in recent years (albeit that’s a pretty low bar).
Skeptics will argue that the Marlins, like the Athletics last offseason, are wary of running into dissatisfaction with the allocation of revenue-share money. Optimists will look to Miami’s hot finish to the 2025 season and the progress of its young core, such as Kyle Stowers, Jacob Massey and Edward Cabrera as the driving factor behind the apparent spending push. In fact, some of both may be true.
Rosenthal and Drellich wrote that the Marlins’ revenue share is believed to be about $70MM per year. Teams that allocate less than 150% of the revenue share funds they receive to their roster (in terms of CBT obligations) may incur the wrath of the union and suffer resentment. This is not true in all cases. According to RosterResource, Miami’s CBT book value will be approximately $85MM in 2025. However, Fish’s current CBT fee is expected to be approximately $70MM.
It seems that being below the 150% threshold for several consecutive seasons is what really raises the risk of an appeal. The Athletics were the only perennial payroll resident who seemed to suffer from potential displeasure last offseason. (Their response was to sign Luis Severino and Jose Leclerc and extend Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler.) None of the Pirates, Marlins or Rays seem to be facing the same pressure.
However, Pittsburgh, Miami and Tampa Bay all had well over $100MM in CBT considerations in previous seasons. The A’s pushed for CBT numbers between $68 and $84 during 2022-24, finally opening their wallets a little to avoid this potential displeasure. Rosenthal and Drelic also said the Marlins may want to avoid any infighting with other clubs in the upcoming CBA negotiations, and that luxury tax taxpayers may argue that the Marlins are not using their funds properly. Readers are encouraged to read this article for full, finer details on the matter, as well as the thoughts of other club officials and agents who took part in the discussion during a chat with The Athletic duo.
Regardless of the motivation, the fact that King is on Miami’s radar is notable. He’s a former Marlins draft pick, albeit under previous ownership and a different front office, so those connections are minimal at this point. King will join a rotation that also includes the aforementioned Cabrera, Sandy Alcantara, Yuri Perez, Braxton Garrett and Ryan Weathers ——promising thomas white, Robbie Snelling, Dax Fulton and Max Meyer (Recovering from surgery) All possible options are also considered.
King, 30, has been outstanding since emerging from a swingman role after the Yankees acquired him in 2017. Garrett Cooper Swap – Into the rotation at the end of the 2023 season. His 2025 season was cut short by a nerve injury in his shoulder and a late-season knee injury, but since transitioning to a full-time rotation role, King has a staggering 2.93 ERA (3.50 FIP, 3.66 SIERA) with a 27.4% strikeout rate and 8.3% walk rate in 53 starts.
The addition of King would give Miami a playoff-caliber starter to pair with the likes of Alcantara, Cabrera and Perez. He would also make it easier for the Fish to entertain offers from young pitchers, whether it’s Cabrera, Weathers or some of the more touted prospects (led by White). The Marlins could also consider trading Alcantara more strongly if they added a veteran starter, but they’d still be selling him for less (trading Alcantara would offset much of the salary gain they’d gain from signing King).
The Marlins are looking for meaningful offensive upgrades, but there are generally few impact hitters on the free agent market this offseason. If the Fish choose to further deepen their organization, they could use their quality young players to explore the trade market for more meaningful upgrades at corner infield, designated hitter and/or right field.
King turned down a qualifying offer of $22.025MM from the Padres. The Marlins will pay the least of three levels of fines when signing him due to his status as a revenue-sharing recipient. Signing King would require Miami to acquire the third overall pick in the 2026 draft.
