The San Diego Padres entered the offseason in a difficult financial position. With significant money already committed to their core stars, the club faces limitations in trying to keep several of its free agents. One major loss has already occurred, as Dylan Cease departed for the Toronto Blue Jays after agreeing to a massive $210 million deal with the reigning American League champions earlier this winter.
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly projected that Cease’s exit could be followed by another key departure, veteran right-hander Michael King. Kelly noted that San Diego has already watched Cease and Robert Suarez leave in free agency, and with reports suggesting the team is open to trade discussions involving Mason Miller and Nick Pivetta, it appears the Padres are operating with a restricted budget this offseason. As a result, Kelly believes King, who was acquired in the December 2023 trade that sent Trent Grisham and Juan Soto to the Yankees, is unlikely to return.
King’s performance in San Diego has positioned him well on the open market. After posting a 3.10 ERA across two seasons with the Padres, he is expected to draw strong interest from multiple teams. Kelly added that King should have no shortage of suitors, given both his consistency and durability.
Financial reality seems to be the driving factor behind San Diego’s situation. The Padres simply may not have the resources to bring King back, opening the door for teams such as the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles to emerge as leading candidates for his services. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, King is projected to land a contract worth around $75 million, a price that may be beyond San Diego’s reach.
With King likely headed elsewhere, the Padres will need to adjust their plans and identify a new starting pitcher to fill the void. While finding a comparable arm at a lower cost will be challenging, San Diego appears headed toward a pivot as it looks to reshape its rotation this winter.