The San Diego Padres are reportedly listening on trades for starting pitcher Michael King, who will be a free agent after the end of the season. Could the Mets be primed to pounce?

Grant Young of New York Mets on Sports Illustrated urged the Mets to consider trading for King as a one-year rental, given the shortage of reliable starting pitching options they currently possess.

“Pat Ragazzo of On SI is reporting that the Padres’ asking price for Cease has been very high,” Young wrote. “However, King, who is also a one-year rental, could be a better fit if the Mets can land him for a lesser package than Cease.”

“(The Padres) would likely want at least a prospect or two in return for King… Perhaps adding a veteran player like Starling Marte, Jose Butto, and/or Tylor Megill could be another means of sweetening the pot, so to speak.”

King, 29, was tremendous for the Padres last season despite it being his first full year as a starting pitcher. He had a 2.95 ERA in 173 2/3 innings pitched, striking out an impressive 201 batters and finishing seventh in the National League Cy Young race.

If New York can add King as a number-two or three starter to pair with Senga and Manaea, they’ll have to be taken much more seriously as a World Series front-runner.