The Padres' offseason just got a little more complicated.
Dylan Cease is officially headed north of the border, signing a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. It's a significant loss for San Diego, but not exactly a surprise-Cease had priced himself out of their plans, and the market responded accordingly. Still, his departure leaves a big hole in a rotation that’s already facing some serious questions.
That’s why all eyes now turn to Michael King.
King declined his mutual option, betting on himself and looking for a long-term deal. And based on his performance, he’s earned the right to do just that.
In 54 starts with the Padres, King posted a 2.99 ERA, showing he’s more than just a reliable arm-he’s a potential frontline starter. San Diego acquired him in the blockbuster trade that sent Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the Yankees, and King quickly became one of the most valuable pieces to come out of that deal.
Now, the Padres are in a position where they have to make a decision: do they pay to keep King, or risk losing another key arm from a rotation that’s already taken some hits?
President of baseball operations A.J. Preller has made it clear that starting pitching is the top priority this offseason.
That’s not just lip service. With Cease gone and Yu Darvish recovering from Tommy John surgery, the Padres are staring down a potential rotation overhaul.
King is the kind of pitcher who could stabilize things-if they can keep him.
But it won’t be easy.
King has drawn plenty of interest around the league, and one team in particular is making a strong push: the New York Mets. That’s right-not the Yankees, where King began his MLB journey-but the other team in town.
The Mets, under owner Steve Cohen, have shown they’re willing to spend big to land top-tier talent. Just look at the deal they gave Juan Soto.
Adding King to their rotation would give them a veteran presence to go along with a young, promising group that includes Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong-all of whom made their big-league debuts in 2025 and showed flashes of real potential.
If the Mets do land King, it would be a big swing for a team looking to build something sustainable-and a tough blow for the Padres.
That would leave Preller with even more work to do. Replacing Cease, King, and Darvish in one offseason isn’t just a challenge-it’s a full-blown test of roster construction.
The Padres have pieces, and they’ve shown a willingness to get creative, but the margin for error is thin. Every move matters.
And it's not just the rotation that needs attention. San Diego also has to figure out what to do with Luis Arráez, who’s due for a new deal of his own. He’s another key player the fanbase would love to see stick around.
Bottom line: the Padres are entering a pivotal stretch. The decisions made over the next few weeks could shape the trajectory of this team for years to come.
Whether that includes Michael King in the rotation-or someone else entirely-remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the Padres can’t afford to miss.