The Padres lost Dylan Cease to the Blue Jays in free agency but managed to retain Michael King. San Diego has reportedly signed King to a three-year, $75 million deal with opt-out clauses after each of the first two seasons, securing a vital part of their pitching rotation. King transitioned from a bullpen role with the Yankees between 2019 and 2023 to a full-time starter with the Padres in 2024, delivering a 2.95 ERA in 31 games (30 starts). He was among 11 pitchers to reach at least 200 strikeouts that year and ranked seventh in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
Despite these impressive stats, injuries affected King’s 2025 season, including nerve issues in his shoulder and knee pain that sidelined him for much of the year. Upon his return in September, he showed diminished effectiveness but still managed a solid 3.44 ERA over 15 starts. The Padres, confident enough in his health, made him a qualifying offer, which King declined, ultimately agreeing on a mutually beneficial contract.
For the Padres, securing King was crucial, especially with Yu Darvish expected to miss the 2026 season due to elbow surgery. King’s return adds stability and depth to the rotation alongside Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery. The front office faces the challenge of adding more back-end pitching depth without increasing payroll, as ownership is considering selling the team and the Padres may surpass the competitive balance tax threshold. Adding free agents like Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn could bolster the lineup, particularly at first base and designated hitter.
King, who declined the qualifying offer despite injury concerns, now has a contract that offers protection if he is sidelined again and allows for free agency sooner if he opts out and returns to form. His main focus will be staying healthy, having proven he can perform at a high level when fit.
In the broader starting pitcher market, after the Blue Jays’ high-profile signing of Cease, the pace of moves has slowed. Trade targets like Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta remain available, with teams possibly cautious about committing to long-term, high-value deals. With King off the market, attention shifts to other free agents like Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen, while the window for signing Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai is closing by January 2nd.
Fan Take: This deal highlights how teams are balancing risk and reward when it comes to pitchers with injury histories, emphasizing health alongside talent. For fans, King’s return to the Padres could mean more exciting and competitive pitching performances, which is crucial for the team’s playoff aspirations and the overall quality of the sport.
