Re-signing pitcher Michael King secured the Padres' postseason hopes amidst financial woes and a challenging offseason. His arm carries immense value for 2026.
The San Diego Padres didn’t have the most convincing offseason that fans have seen in recent memory, but they should still be on track for a postseason push when the end of the 2026 campaign comes. With spring training beginning for the Padres in Arizona, fans get a glimpse at how their squad looks after the ups and downs of the offseason.
Given their unfavorable financial circumstances and with the team being in conversations to be sold, general manager and president of baseball operations A.J. Preller had his work cut out for him this winter. He didn't have much money to work with and had several key players with their contracts expiring, but Preller has managed to keep some optimism in San Diego.
It doesn't feel great to pick the obvious choice as the most impactful move of the Padres' offseason, but it would be wrong to choose anything else besides the Padres’ ability to re-sign right-handed starting pitcher Michael King.
King’s return was an absolute must for the Friars. After fellow right-hander Dylan Cease dipped out on the club earlier in the offseason in favor of a $210 million deal with the American League champion Toronto Blue Jays, Preller and the Padres knew retaining King was the number one priority.
He ultimately returned on a three-year, $75 million deal, but there are opt-outs after each of the first two seasons for King. Still, the important part was figured out – King would be on the mound for the Padres in 2026.
His presence on San Diego’s mound is as important as ever. Starting pitching has been the focus of the Padres’ offseason all winter long, even with King returning. He’ll be the No. 2 guy behind right-hander Nick Pivetta for 2026. With the rest of the rotation having its question marks, King’s arm is even more valuable this season.
He recorded a 3.44 ERA last season with the Friars. It was his first time over a 3.00 ERA since the 2021 season, but it came as he struggled with injuries all season long, resulting in just 15 starts. The focus for King needs to be on health in 2026.
With righty Joe Musgrove returning from Tommy John and possibly needing some time to get back to his high level of production, Yu Darvish out for the season, and the back end of the rotation still being completely up in the air, the Padres need King to produce like he did in his first year in San Diego. That season, 2024, he totaled 4.1 WAR and finished seventh in Cy Young voting.
Though other offseason moves, such as the signings of infielders Sung-Mun Song and Miguel Andujar, could prove as sneaky impactful moves for the Padres, the weight of the club’s offseason is on King’s shoulders. He will certainly have the most impactful 2026 campaign out of any other player involved in the Padres’ plans this offseason.