This offseason has been nothing short of a nightmare for Padres fans. Known for their aggressive pursuit of star players, the Friar Faithful now face a stark change in direction. With uncertainty surrounding the future of the Seidler brothers’ ownership, the Padres seem poised to either trade key players or let them walk in free agency. Fan-favorite Jurickson Profar has joined the Atlanta Braves, a reunion with Ha-Seong Kim looks doubtful, and ace Dylan Cease is reportedly on the trade block. Now, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, another potential departure has emerged: breakout starter Michael King.
Michael King Trade Still “In Play,” Per Ken Rosenthal
In Rosenthal’s latest piece, he discusses the sluggish free-agent market but notes in the final paragraphs that trades remain a factor.
“One reason the open market remains clogged is that teams continue to discuss trades,” Rosenthal writes. “For instance, starting pitchers like the Seattle Mariners’ Luis Castillo and the Padres’ Dylan Cease and Michael King are still in play.”
Rosenthal also mentioned King’s ongoing arbitration dispute, suggesting an arbitration hearing is “likely.” If it proceeds, it would be the Padres’ first arbitration case in a decade under general manager A.J. Preller. A trade involving King, once unthinkable, now feels like a real possibility.
Padres and King Stuck in Contract Limbo
King, the standout return in the Padres’ trade of Juan Soto to the Yankees, emerged as a breakout star in 2024. Transitioning from reliever to starter, King posted an impressive 2.95 ERA (139 ERA+) with 201 strikeouts across 173 2/3 innings, solidifying himself as a cornerstone of the rotation. Alongside Cease, he formed one of the league’s most dominant one-two pitching combinations.
Under the leadership of late owner Peter Seidler, the Padres might have already secured King with a long-term extension. However, with the organization navigating ownership uncertainty, such a deal now feels unlikely. King is under team control through 2025 but is set to reach free agency thereafter.
Should the Padres Trade King or Cease?
The Padres’ rotation is already facing significant hurdles in 2025. Joe Musgrove is expected to miss the season due to Tommy John surgery, and the team recently fell short in its pursuit of Japanese ace Roki Sasaki. Trading either King or Cease—or both—would worsen an already thin rotation unless the return includes top-tier prospects.
For a team desperately needing pitching, dealing two of its best arms seems counterproductive. The Padres might have no choice but to keep both players, even if it risks losing them in free agency, to remain competitive next season. However, with the trade market buzzing and financial uncertainty looming, tough decisions are inevitable. Whether King stays in San Diego or becomes the latest high-profile departure, this offseason continues to test the patience of the Friar Faithful.
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