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The San Diego Padres found themselves with the unenviable task of attempting to keep pace with the Los Angeles Dodgers while dealing with payroll concerns. They took a step in that direction Thursday night.
Mark Feinsand from MLB.com reported that the Padres are re-signing pitcher Michael King to a three-year, $75 million contract. He will receive a $12 million signing bonus and $5 million for 2026, with the option to opt out after the 2026 and 2027 seasons. He would receive $28 million in 2027, or a $5 million buyout, and $30 million in 2028.
King made just 15 starts for the Padres in 2025 due to a pinched nerve in his right shoulder and left knee inflammation. He performed well when he was able to take the ball, posting a 3.44 ERA and a 1.200 WHIP over his 73.1 innings, striking out 76 batters with 26 walks.
Retaining Michael King helps alleviate San Diego Padres losses
The Padres pitching staff had suffered a pair of significant losses during the offseason. Starter Dylan Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Blue Jays, while closer Robert Suarez signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Braves. The Padres, meanwhile, had made a pair of minor deals, re-signing pitcher Kyle Hart while taking a flier on former top pitching prospect Triston MacKenzie.
King had been a key part of the deal that sent outfielder Juan Soto to the Yankees during the 2023-24 offseason. He had transitioned to the rotation over the final few weeks of the 2023 season, posting a 1.88 ERA and a 1.096 WHIP over 38.1 innings as a starter, striking out 48 batters with nine walks. King continued that impressive performance in his first season with the Padres, posting a 2.95 ERA and a 1.192 WHIP over 173.2 innings, striking out 201 batters with 63 walks as he earned down-ballot votes for the NL Cy Young award.
If King is healthy, he will pair with Nick Pivetta to give the Padres a formidable duo atop the rotation. While the Padres still have work to do to contend with the Dodgers in the NL West, bringing King back is a strong first step in that direction.
