Michael King Opts Out of Padres Contract, Set for Lucrative Free Agency
The ace pitcher declined his player option, positioning himself as one of the winter's most sought-after free agents.
Padres pitcher Michael King has opted out of his contract, making him one of the top free agents available this offseason. King declined his player option on Thursday, concluding his three-year, $75 million deal with the San Diego Padres, which included opt-outs after the first two seasons.
King is expected to command a significant long-term contract after a highly productive 2026 season. He posted a 3.21 earned run average with 159 strikeouts over 185 innings pitched across 32 starts. His performance earned him a career-high 4.3 bWAR, underscoring his value and durability.
King was a pivotal player in the Padres' postseason run to the National League Division Series, where they were ultimately eliminated by the Brewers. In the NLDS, he allowed just one run in 12 innings across two starts and secured a save in Game 3 by closing out the final two innings from the bullpen.
Following the team's playoff elimination, King expressed his positive feelings about San Diego, stating, "San Diego has been incredible for me, and it’s all the way across the country from home. I feel like I have a second home on the West Coast. It’s been awesome. And I hope to continue it."
Despite King's expressed fondness for the Padres, his impending free agency is likely to result in a costly bidding war. His departure would create a significant void in the Padres' starting rotation, making his potential re-signing a priority for the team under its new ownership.