Michael King is dealing, sporting a sharp 3.24 ERA this season, but he might not finish the year in San Diego. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Padres are open to trading the former New York Yankees right-handed starter and his $17 million one-year contract ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. Rival executives who have talked with Padres president of baseball operations AJ Preller believe King is seriously on the block.
King’s Contract Situation Is a Huge Factor
This isn’t just about his current performance, which has been great in 21 starts. King’s contract includes player options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. But here’s the kicker: with how well he’s pitching right now, it makes total sense for him to decline those options and test the free agency market after the 2026 season. That means he’s looking like an expiring asset. While the Padres seem set on keeping closer Mason Miller, the buzz around King being traded is a whole lot more realistic than ever before. Teams across the league are always hunting for quality starting pitching, and King would absolutely fetch a strong return in a trade.
Why the Padres Are Ready to Move On
So, why would San Diego even consider parting with a guy pitching this well? It comes down to a “somewhat lost season” for the Padres. Their big-name stars aren’t performing at the level expected, and the roster has too many holes to truly contend for a World Series. When a team finds itself in that spot, selling off players who could walk after 2026 just makes sense. King fits that bill perfectly. It’s a tough call when a player is performing, but if the long-term outlook isn’t there, getting a strong haul of prospects or future assets now is the smart play.
Padres fans need to keep their eyes glued to any King rumors coming down the pipe. With the August 3 deadline rapidly approaching, the decision to cut ties could happen any moment. If it does, some lucky team is about to get a seriously talented arm.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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