Padres Shake Things Up: Michael King on the Trade Block

The San Diego Padres seem to be heading into the 2025 offseason with an unexpected strategy. Instead of pushing forward to close the gap between themselves and National League powerhouses like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, the Padres have reportedly placed one of their top pitchers, Michael King, on the trade block.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Valentina Martinez of San Diego Padres on SI), the Padres are now open to trade discussions involving King, a reigning All-MLB Second Team selection:

“One reason the open market remains clogged is that teams continue to discuss trades,” Rosenthal wrote. “The Seattle Mariners’ Luis Castillo and San Diego Padres’ Dylan Cease and Michael King, for example, are among the starting pitchers who remain in play (King asked for $8.8 million in arbitration and the Padres offered $7.325 million; a hearing appears likely).”

This development comes as the Padres work to shed salary and prepare for the potential departures of key players. Alongside King, ace Dylan Cease and three-time batting champion Luis Arraez have also been rumored to be available, with both stars set to hit free agency after the 2025 season.

A Potential Blow to the Padres’ Rotation

Losing Michael King would undoubtedly leave a sizable hole in the Padres’ pitching staff. The 29-year-old was stellar in 2024, finishing as one of only 11 pitchers across the league to notch 200-plus strikeouts. His impressive stat line included a 2.95 ERA, 1.192 WHIP, and 201 strikeouts, solidifying him as a reliable No. 2 arm in the rotation.

King’s dominance on the mound even earned him early recognition as a potential National League Cy Young contender heading into 2025. For a team looking to stay competitive in the NL, parting ways with such a pivotal player would signal a significant shift in priorities.

A Changing Offseason Approach

The Padres’ offseason strategy appears to center on trimming payroll and preparing for life after their expiring contracts. With high-profile players like Cease and Arraez on the trading block, moving King suggests the Padres are leaning toward a retooling phase rather than doubling down on a win-now approach.

San Diego’s rotation, which has been one of the league’s best, would take a hit if King departs. While the team’s depth has kept them competitive in recent years, losing a frontline starter of his caliber could make it challenging to compete with juggernauts like the Dodgers and Braves in 2025.

What’s Next for the Padres?

As King’s name surfaces in trade rumors, teams around the league will surely line up for a chance to acquire his services. With the Padres unlikely to meet King’s arbitration demands — he requested $8.8 million, while the team countered with $7.325 million — a trade might make financial sense for a franchise trying to stay under budget.

Still, Padres fans have reason to be concerned. Trading a pitcher of King’s caliber, especially one coming off a career-best season, could make it harder for the team to bridge the gap in the National League race.

Whether this move is a prelude to a larger rebuild or part of a calculated reshuffling remains to be seen. For now, Michael King’s availability will be one of the more intriguing storylines as the offseason continues.