Michael King Returns to San Diego Padres with Unfinished Business

Talented pitcher signs 3-year, $75 million deal with opt-outs, eyeing championship run

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:23am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into overlapping planes of navy blue, crimson red, and golden yellow, capturing the dynamic energy and movement of the sport.The Padres' bold move to re-sign pitcher Michael King signals their commitment to building a championship-caliber team through strategic roster decisions.San Diego Today

Michael King, a talented pitcher with a unique journey, is back with the San Diego Padres after a stint with the Miami Marlins. Born in Rochester, New York, and with a prep career in Rhode Island, King's baseball story took an East Coast turn before finding a home on the West Coast with the Padres. King is determined to leave his mark and help the Padres on their championship quest.

Why it matters

King's return to the Padres is significant as he looks to build on his impressive 2024 season where he posted a 2.95 ERA over 173 innings. The Padres' decision to offer King a lucrative 3-year deal with opt-outs could have implications for the future of another Padres pitcher, Nick Pivetta, who is expected to opt out after this season.

The details

King transitioned from a relief pitcher to a full-time starter, and his impact was felt. However, injuries limited his innings in his walk year, raising questions about his market value. The Padres took a bold step by offering King a 3-year, $75 million deal, with opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons, and some intriguing incentives, including a $28 million player option in 2027 and a $30 million player option (with no opt-out) in 2028.

  • King was drafted by the Miami Marlins out of Boston College.
  • In 2024, King posted an impressive 2.95 ERA over 173 innings.
  • King's deal with the Padres is structured with opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

The players

Michael King

A talented pitcher with a unique journey, King is back with the San Diego Padres after a stint with the Miami Marlins. He is determined to leave his mark and help the Padres on their championship quest.

A.J. Preller

The Padres' president of baseball operations, Preller emphasized the team's trust in King's work ethic, aptitude, and competitive spirit by offering him the lucrative 3-year deal.

Nick Pivetta

Another Padres pitcher who is expected to opt out after this season if he replicates his 2025 success, potentially impacting the team's future plans.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Family is everything, and San Diego feels like home. The atmosphere here is incredible, and I'm thrilled to be part of this team's journey.”

— Michael King

“We trust in King's work ethic, aptitude, and competitive spirit, which is why we offered him this deal.”

— A.J. Preller, President of Baseball Operations, San Diego Padres

What’s next

The Padres and King will look to build on this deal and make a championship run in the upcoming season. The team will also monitor the situation with Nick Pivetta and how his potential opt-out could impact their future plans.

The takeaway

King's return to the Padres represents an exciting new chapter for the team and the player. The Padres have shown their faith in King's abilities by offering him a lucrative deal, and King is determined to repay that trust by helping the team achieve their championship dreams.