Bold NY Mets-Padres trade proposal by ex-GM would guarantee a 'yes' from San Diego

Michael King has become the buzziest bee on the trade market with reports of the San Diego Padres shopping him among others. Sports Illustrated’s Pat Ragazzo dropped the heavy New York Mets rumors of the team actually checking in on his availability along with Dylan Cease.

The Mets have been linked to multiple available starting pitchers either through free agency or trades even as the current roster is full of arms. Not fully content with what they have, David Stearns looks open to seizing any other opportunity he can to improve the club with pitchers and catchers reporting in less than three weeks.

With the Mets rumors swirling of interest in a deal, former GM Zack Scott appeared on SNY to share a trade proposal of his own. The Mets acquire King in exchange for Jose Butto, Drew Gilbert, and Jonah Tong.

The Mets-Padres trade proposed by Zack Scott is hefty yet enough to get a deal done

Mets fans weren’t delighted to see the trade proposal nor should they be. Trades have to hurt. This isn’t swapping unnecessary pieces for a talented pitcher coming off of a monster year. King isn’t murdering the Padres’ payroll quite as much as others on the roster. A ball club desperate to shed some salary, he’s going to be a drop in the bucket in comparison to what they’re paying Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.

Among the reactions, one of the frequent comments was about how it’s too much to give up for a rental. It’s a fair point. On top of that, King has only one proven year as a big league starter; not that the Mets seem to really care about that. They just signed Clay Holmes with zero good years as a starting pitcher to be one. The case of “get them in the door” first with a trade doesn’t always work out. It didn’t give the New York Yankees any edge in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. As great as the Mets have been at re-signing players this offseason, which is a testament to the organization and locker room, it guarantees nothing when money is the largest motivator of all.

The trade includes Drew Gilbert, a falling prospect who has yet to hit the ground. In addition to him, someone going the opposite direction lands with the Padres. Before last season, Jonah Tong was just another guy in the lower minor leagues. He dazzled and selling him at a high wouldn’t be such a bad idea. The inclusion of Jose Butto gets bonus points for creativity. Losing him would give the Mets added flexibility in a bullpen that has now gotten a lot fuller with the addition of Ryne Stanek. Plus, we have to figure the Padres would like to go for the trifecta. King and Seth Lugo are ex-New York pitchers who didn’t get to start in the Big Apple yet thrived when they did. Could Butto end up doing the same in San Diego?

King is a tough player to know the value of because of the limited track record of success as a starter, generally low salary, and how good he was last season. Mets fans might not make this trade. The Padres, if actually proposed with this offer, would almost have to take it.

Scott later confirmed it's not one he would necessarily do. Fair enough. After the Javier Baez trade, there might not be any trade he's ever willing to make.