Following a whirlwind trade deadline in Major League Baseball, the San Diego Padres have surged with consecutive series victories, boosted by new additions Ramon Laureano, Ryan O’Hearn, and Mason Miller making immediate impacts. Positioned just two games behind the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres are gaining momentum in the division race. Adding to their optimism, Michael King is anticipated to return to the mound, potentially strengthening the team’s chances even further.
According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, King is projected to start on Saturday night against the Boston Red Sox. Before suffering a perplexing shoulder injury, King had established himself as a key contender for the Cy Young Award.
King emerged as a star after being included in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade and quickly transitioned from a reliever to the ace of the Padres’ pitching staff last season. Over 173.2 innings, he posted a 2.95 ERA alongside 201 strikeouts, finishing seventh in MVP voting. His playoff performance included a dominant seven-inning shutout with 12 strikeouts in the wild card round. Although his following playoff start against the Dodgers was less effective, he still pitched five innings and contributed to a Padres victory.
This season started even stronger for King, who recorded a 2.59 ERA and 64 strikeouts across his first ten starts before the injury sidelined him. His absence represented a significant loss for the Padres, as he remains their top pitcher. Utilizing a five-pitch arsenal highlighted by one of the most formidable sinkers in baseball, King has gained a reputation as one of the league’s most intimidating starters.
The Challenges Ahead: King’s Free Agency Prospects
Unfortunately for the Padres, Michael King is set to test free agency this winter, making his future uncertain despite his soaring value. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently analyzed King’s upcoming contract market, pointing out both his impressive performance and concerns related to durability.
King is working on a fourth consecutive season with a sub-3.00 ERA, but he has also been out since mid-May with a thoracic nerve issue. At this point, he needs to come back and prove himself even more than Bieber does, as last year was the only one thus far in which King made more than 10 starts. Of the four pitchers in this tier, he just might have the best stuff, but is least likely to get a $100M deal. (Prediction: King re-signs with Padres on a three-year deal.)
—Kerry Miller, Bleacher Report
While King’s skill level may warrant a contract above $100 million, questions about his long-term durability complicate negotiations. The Padres will likely need to move decisively to secure his services if they hope to maintain a top-tier rotation.
Why King Is Crucial to Padres’ Title Aspirations
The Padres’ chances of competing for a championship this year and beyond are deeply tied to Michael King’s presence. Other key arms such as Dylan Cease have struggled this season and will also enter free agency soon. Meanwhile, veterans like Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove remain under contract, but both face aging concerns and injury risks. Additionally, Nick Pivetta has established himself as a strong rotation piece locked in for the future. There is speculation that Mason Miller could transition into a starting role, which might help fill gaps.
Even with these options, the Padres will confront a significant pitching void in the offseason unless King returns to form and stays healthy. Though investing in an often-injured pitcher carries risks, his talent and performance make him vital to San Diego’s quest to stay competitive and contend for a World Series title.
Paying King is a gamble worth taking to prolong the Padres’ window as one of baseball’s premier teams.