The San Diego Padres have a strong rotation, but things could change heading into the offseason.
Dylan Cease is set to hit the free agent market, and there’s a chance Michael King could leave as well.
Baseball insider and former general manager Jim Bowden believes King could become a free agent through a mutual option.
“King has vaulted to the top of these starting pitcher rankings simply by outperforming the field,” wrote Bowden. “He has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the past four seasons, including last year, when he went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA over 31 appearances (30 starts). This season, he has a 2.59 ERA over 10 starts with 64 strikeouts and 17 walks.”
King’s ERA ranks 13th among all starting pitchers in baseball, just behind phenom Paul Skenes. His performance has helped keep the Padres in contention for the National League West division title. The Padres entered Thursday 1 1/2 games out of first place.
Bowden also mentions one thing that adds to King’s value.
“That he has only 477 major-league innings on his pitching odometer also increases his value,” wrote Bowden. “He has a $15 mutual option for 2026 that’s expected to be bought out for $3.75 million.”
If King hits the market, he will be one of the most highly sought starting pitchers at just 29 years old. With all of the pitching injuries the Los Angeles Dodgers have seen this year, it’s expected they will pursue King.
Spotrac expects King to sign a four-year deal worth $71 million in the offseason, but the Padres will look to extend him.
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