Instead of the San Diego Padres flooring the gas to close the gap between themselves and National League contenders like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets this offseason, they’ve now made one of their elite pitchers available for trade.
Padres place frontline starter Michael King on the trade block
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres have signaled that teams can pursue All-MLB Second Team honoree Michael King this offseason. The Padres’ decision comes amid ongoing trade discussions in a market still hindered by competition for players. Rosenthal noted that King, a starting pitcher, is among those available for trade, with his arbitration case still pending. King requested $8.8 million in arbitration, while the Padres offered $7.325 million, making a hearing likely. Other pitchers like Luis Castillo of the Seattle Mariners and Dylan Cease of the Padres are also reportedly in play.
King’s departure would be major blow to Padres rotation
Michael King had an exceptional 2024 season, joining an elite group of pitchers by recording 200-plus strikeouts, with 201 total on the year. His efficiency was remarkable, finishing with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.192 WHIP for San Diego.
The Padres’ offseason strategy has been focused on shedding salary and unloading expiring contracts, which has led them to explore trades involving key players like ace Dylan Cease and three-time batting champion Luis Arraez, both of whom are set to become free agents next fall.
King’s potential trade, however, adds an intriguing layer to San Diego’s offseason plans. While the Padres already have a strong pitching rotation, losing their No. 2 starter would be a significant blow, especially with early predictions suggesting King could contend for the 2025 National League Cy Young Award.
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