Padres Re-Sign Michael King

The Padres have re-signed right-hander Michael King to a three-year contract worth $75 million. The deal includes player options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. The deal also includes a $12 million signing bonus. King will receive a $5 million salary in 2026, and the player options are worth $28 million (with a $5 million buyout) and $30 million, respectively. The Mets reportedly held a Zoom meeting with King in recent weeks.

King has enjoyed a lot of success in the two seasons since he was dealt to San Diego as part of the blockbuster that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees. In 2024, King threw a career-high 173 2/3 innings and posted a 2.95 ERA with 201 strikeouts, finishing seventh in NL Cy Young voting. He won both of his starts in the playoffs, including a masterful outing in the Wild Card Series against the Braves, in which he struck out 12 batters and walked none over seven shutout innings. King got off to a torrid start in 2025, but was hampered by two trips to the injured list – first for shoulder inflammation, then for knee inflammation. The IL stints combined to cost King three months. He still posted a solid 3.44 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings, though he also gave up 12 home runs.

With King off the board, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, and Tatsuya Imai remain among the top free agent starting pitchers. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported Thursday that the Mets are willing to spend on starters if they can agree on short-term deals.

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