Michael King, the Padres’ postseason hero, is staring down a massive payday this offseason. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter is predicting King is gonna opt out of his current deal and land a huge $120 million contract in free agency. Talk about a glow-up! The Padres have a new ownership group, and they’re about to get tested big time with several key names hitting the open market, and King’s situation is right at the top.
The Money, The Years, And The Shaky Past
Reuter’s prediction is specific: five years, $120 million. That’s a significant jump from the $75 million, three-year contract King signed last offseason to return to San Diego. Think about it, while the predicted annual average value (AAV) of $24 million is actually $1 million less than his current deal’s $25 million AAV, it’s way more money overall and locks him into a long-term commitment. For a guy who’s had a shaky past, that kind of security is huge. Reuter even compared King’s free agency outlook to Robbie Ray’s situation after his 2021 Cy Young season, when Ray got five years for $115 million. Ray’s earning power was kinda limited by an inconsistent track record, and King’s in a similar boat with only two full seasons as a starter and some injury issues in 2025. It just makes this whole $120 million prediction even more interesting, doesn’t it?
King Proved His Worth, Now The Market Is Hot
But here’s the kicker: King absolutely balled out for the Padres in 2026. He posted a 3.21 ERA with 159 strikeouts across 185 innings of work, plus a strong postseason performance. If he can replicate that kind of production, then a long-term deal like Reuter is predicting wouldn’t be shocking at all. The dude proved his potential. There’s gonna be a ton of interested teams, especially since King is widely considered the second-best pitcher in this year’s free agent class. Only Tarik Skubal is ahead of him! The Padres could try to make a run for Skubal, but let’s be real, a long-term deal for King at $120 million is a super solid fallback option. With so much interest likely heading his way, that $120 million deal for the veteran right-hander is definitely in play.
This offseason is gonna be wild for the Padres and their new ownership. With Adrian Morejon also hitting free agency, and King likely opting out, the front office has some massive decisions ahead. Will they chase the top dog in Skubal, or go all-in on King and his projected $120 million? It’s the biggest question facing the team right now, and how they answer it will absolutely set the tone for the entire future of the club.
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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