The San Diego Padres are open to trade discussions and are willing to entertain offers for any player on their roster.
Add Michael King to the mix.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the 29-year-old right-hander is “among the starting pitchers who remain in play” on the trade market.
After spending his first five seasons with the Yankees primarily as a reliever, King transitioned to a starting role on Aug. 24, 2023. He was the centerpiece of the Padres’ return in the blockbuster trade that sent Juan Soto to New York.
In his first full season as a starter, King had a breakout campaign, posting a 2.95 ERA over 173.2 innings. He recorded 201 strikeouts while issuing just 63 walks, earning down-ballot consideration for the National League Cy Young Award.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report compiled a list of 10 teams that could pursue King, identifying the Chicago Cubs as a potential trade partner.
The Cubs’ current rotation features Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, Javier Assad, and Colin Rea.
Boyd and Rea don’t bring much upside—Boyd, now 34, hasn’t been a significant contributor since 2019, while Rea, also 34, has struggled to reach league-average performance.
Rymer’s proposed trade scenario:
- Cubs receive: RHP Michael King
- Padres receive: OF Kevin Alcántara (Cubs’ No. 6 prospect), RHP Javier Assad
“The key asset for San Diego in this deal would be Alcántara,” Rymer noted. “The 22-year-old has some question marks with his hit tool but possesses power, speed, and strong defensive skills. He’s also major-league ready.
“Meanwhile, Assad was a solid starter in 2024, posting a 3.73 ERA. While he doesn’t generate many strikeouts, his sinker is effective at inducing ground balls.”
This offseason, the Padres and King avoided arbitration, agreeing to a contract for 2025 with a mutual option for 2026. The deal guarantees him $7.75 million and offers flexibility for both parties.
King will earn a $1 million base salary with a $3 million signing bonus. His 2026 mutual option is worth $15 million, with a $3.75 million buyout that could rise to $4 million if he meets specific start-based incentives.
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