In a decisive move that signals both confidence and commitment, the Padres have struck a new three-year, $75 million deal with starting pitcher Michael King, a contract that’s as flexible as it is lucrative. According to a report from MLB.com, King’s new agreement includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, giving him significant control over his future while tying him to a franchise clearly invested in maintaining a competitive rotation.
Player-Friendly Structure Reflects Mutual Trust
The structure of the deal is strategic. King will receive a $12 million signing bonus and a $5 million salary for the 2026 season. In 2027, the contract shifts into a player option worth $28 million, which King can decline in exchange for a $5 million buyout. If he stays through to 2028, he’ll be positioned to earn $30 million in the final year, an eye-popping figure that suggests the Padres are betting on a return to peak form.
A Rotation Anchor with Ace Potential
That bet isn’t entirely speculative. While King’s 2025 performance, a 5-4 record and a 3.44 ERA over 15 starts, wasn’t his finest, it came on the heels of a breakout 2024 campaign in which he reached career highs across the board. Over 30 starts, King worked 173.2 innings, delivered a sparkling 2.95 ERA, and racked up 201 strikeouts, elite numbers that placed him squarely in the conversation among the National League’s most effective starters.
The Padres Sends Clear Message to the League
For the Padres, this re-signing provides much-needed rotational stability after an offseason filled with uncertainty. San Diego’s front office had been bracing for the possibility of losing King to free agency, a move that would’ve left a significant hole in a pitching staff already facing questions. Instead, they’ve locked in a top-tier arm, and crucially, done so with terms that align with both King’s upward trajectory and the club’s competitive window.
At 30, King enters the prime years of his career with financial security, autonomy, and a clear role as a pillar of the Padres’ future. For San Diego, it’s not just about locking in talent. It’s about sending a message: contention is not optional, it’s the standard.
