Padres lose Michael King to free agency after $58 million opt-out

Michael King has exited the San Diego Padres organization, opting out of the final two years worth $58 million on his existing contract. The decision grants the 31-year-old right-hander free agency status immediately following the conclusion of the 2026 postseason. This move places him on the open market where his value is projected to exceed nine figures, a sum he commanded even before his standout performance against the Milwaukee Brewers.

King’s statistical profile supports the market interest. He recorded career highs in both starts and innings during the regular season, making 32 appearances and throwing 185 innings while maintaining a 3.21 ERA. His postseason performance was equally dominant. He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of the National League Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs. He later pitched five innings of one-run ball in the second game of the division series before relieving on one day of rest to secure the save in the third game at Petco Park. Across 14 postseason innings, he allowed five hits and one run while striking out 15 batters.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy described King as one of the most underrated pitchers in the sport. Murphy compared King’s playoff performance to the peak era of Greg Maddux. In the regular season, King served as a stabilizing force for a Padres rotation that suffered from injuries. With King now available, analysts position him as the number two free agent starter behind Tarik Skubal, the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

The Padres face a tight timeline to retain their ace. The team holds a five-day exclusive window to negotiate a new contract with King before he formally joins the open market. New owners Jose E. Feliciano and Kwana Jones must decide quickly if they wish to keep a fan favorite in San Diego. The outcome will determine the stability of the pitching staff for the upcoming season.

If King departs, the Padres face a thin roster depth for 2027. Randy Vasquez, Joe Musgrove, and Yu Darvish are the only starters currently under contract. There is no guarantee that Musgrove will remain a starter, nor that Darvish will return from another elbow surgery. The team holds the option to re-sign Nick Pivetta for $14 million, but Walker Buehler, Casey Mize, and Robbie Ray are also free agents. The departure of King leaves the Padres with a precarious pitching situation until they address these gaps.