What Michael King Said About His Future With Padres

The San Diego Padres fell short of the NLCS once again, and this time the postseason came to an end with a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. 

The Brewers proved to be too much to handle, and they also finished as the top seed in the entire National League for a good reason. 

With the offseason now underway, there are a lot of questions swirling around regarding the roster. 

Ty France already made it clear that he hopes to return to San Diego, and perhaps the most important question is around ace pitcher Michael King. 

King signed a three-year, $75 million deal last offseason, and he pitched so well that he might opt out and get a raise from the Padres or somebody else. 

After the Game 4 loss to the Brewers, King opened up on his future, and he sure made it clear he hopes to stay in San Diego also. 

“San Diego has been incredible for me, and it’s all the way across the country from home,” King said, via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. “Now I feel like I have a second home on the West Coast. It’s been awesome. And I hope to continue it.”

King had also said that it's a "future decision" and he was just "enjoying the company" after the season ended. 

King started Game 1 of the Wild Card series and threw a one-hitter, then he got the start in Game 2 of the NLDS and even came in for a two-inning, six-out save in Game 3, with Mason Miller being placed on the paternity list. 

King was even ready to throw in Game 4 and start Game 5, so nothing mattered for King except helping his team when it mattered most. 

King finished the regular season with a 12-10 record and a 3.21 ERA, and he had a 0.64 ERA in 14 innings this postseason, including a save, in a heroic effort by the ace. 

If anything, King can opt-in to his deal. According to Cassavell, King has a $28 million salary in ‘27 with a $5 million buyout should he opt out, then a $30 million salary in ‘28 (with no buyout).

However, if he opts out and hits the market, he might command even more. For example, Dylan Cease left San Diego and landed a seven-year, $210 million deal, averaging at $30 million per season. 

Would King command a deal in the $30 million per year range? He very well could, although everything also depends on the lockout and CBA discussions that will take place. 

At the end of the day, the Padres have new ownership, and keeping King around for the future should be a priority for San Diego.