The San Diego Padres have had an interesting offseason in the midst of exploring the sale of the franchise.
San Diego has made two notable moves; the club re-signed right-handed starter Michael King to a three-year, $75 million deal with opt-outs after the first two seasons and signed Korean Baseball Organization infielder Sung-Mun Song to a four-year, $15 million deal that includes a player option for 2029 and a $7 million mutual option for 2030.
Because the franchise may be sold at some point this year, the team is actively trying to cut payroll. While signing King for $75 million doesn’t seem like cutting payroll, the Padres absolutely needed to fill gaps in their starting rotation with the departure of right-hander Dylan Cease and the injury to right-hander Yu Darvish.
Also, if King performs well, he could opt out of the deal and test the open market for a longer deal worth more annually. Thus, his deal would turn out to be one-year, $25 million.
San Diego still has holes within the roster, especially since first baseman/infielder Luis Arraez is still a free agent. It will be interesting to see how the Padres build the rest of their team with budget limitations.
MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince listed the Padres as a team that has been busy but has raised eyebrows at the same time this offseason.
“Fielding a top-heavy roster amid an exploration of selling the team, there was an expectation that the Padres would not be uber-aggressive in the free-agent market this winter, and they haven’t been. But that doesn’t mean they’ve been quiet, either,” Castrovince wrote Wednesday. “They signed Korea Baseball Organization infielder Sung-Mun Song to a reasonable sum and were able to bring back Michael King on a flexible pact that includes deferred money and an opt-out after one year.
“Padres general manager A.J. Preller always makes us go “Hmmm,” and this offseason is no different. The King contract is evidence that the Padres aren’t retreating in spite of spending limitations. As San Diego, per usual, checks in on various trade candidates and considers offers for the likes of Jake Cronenworth and Nick Pivetta, what more surprises might be in store?”
Considering Cronenworth has a lengthy $80 million contract that has him under team control through 2030, it would make sense for San Diego to dangle him in trade talks. However, if the team wants to hold onto him, he can play first base in place of Arraez.
The Padres should have another competitive season, but there’s a possibility they take a step back based on their allowance.