The first of the Padres’ offseason personnel decisions was made for them on the first day of the offseason.
As expected, Michael King declined his part of a $15 million mutual option on the contract he signed before last season, making him a free agent.
The 30-year-old right-hander is among the top starting pitchers available this winter despite losing half of his 2025 season to a nerve impingement near his right shoulder and a knee injury.
The Padres could make a qualifying offer to King, which would guarantee him $22.025 million in 2026 if he accepts. If he declines, the team he signs with would forfeit at least one draft pick while the Padres would gain a draft pick after the fourth round. The deadline to make a qualifying offer is Thursday, and players have 10 days to accept or decline.
While King made just 15 starts in 2025, he had a 3.03 ERA in 45 starts in his two seasons with the Padres. Those were his only two seasons as a full-time starter. He had a 2.95 ERA in 31 games (30 starts) while striking out 201 batters in a career-high 173⅔ innings in 2024.
With Dylan Cease also headed to free agency and Yu Darvish possibly retiring, the Padres’ incumbent starting pitchers are Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta, Randy Vásquez and left-hander JP Sears.
The Padres now await a decision by closer Robert Suarez, who is expected to opt out of his contract. Reliever Wandy Peralta is expected to exercise his $4.45 million option for 2026, and the Padres have indicated they will exercise their option on left fielder Ramón Laureano ($6.5 million).
The team will likely decline its portion of mutual options on catcher Elias Díaz ($7 million) and pitcher Kyle Hart ($5 million).