Padres Fans Eye Michael King, But AL East Beckons; MLB Rumor Mill Keeps Spinning
San Diego Padres fans made their voices heard in a recent survey, and the message was loud and clear: if the team could only bring back one top-tier free-agent pitcher, they wanted it to be Michael King. But despite that sentiment, it looks like the right-hander is heading in a different direction - and possibly back to where it all began.
Reports began circulating Sunday that King was nearing a decision, with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles emerging as the frontrunners. For King, a New York native who came up through the Yankees system, a return to the American League East wouldn’t be much of a surprise. But for Padres fans, it likely signals the end of any realistic hope of seeing King back in brown and gold.
Quiet Winter Meetings for the Padres - For Now
While Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller is no stranger to headline-grabbing moves, this year’s Winter Meetings came and went without a major splash from San Diego’s front office. The club did make some additions to the coaching staff and brought in a few minor league players, but the big-ticket transactions many fans were hoping for haven’t materialized - at least not yet.
That doesn’t mean the rumor mill has gone cold. In fact, the Padres continue to be linked to a variety of players, and with Preller’s track record, it’s fair to assume that something could still be brewing behind the scenes. The offseason is far from over, and San Diego remains a team to watch.
Around the League: Pitching Moves, Trade Rumors, and Free-Agent Buzz
In Arizona, the Diamondbacks are bringing back a key piece of their rotation. Free-agent right-hander Merrill Kelly has agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal to return to the desert.
Kelly was a steady presence for the D-backs, and this move ensures they’ll retain a reliable arm as they look to build on their recent success. His former rotation mate, Zac Gallen, is still on the market, but there’s a possibility the two could reunite in Arizona’s starting five.
Meanwhile, in Texas, Rangers President of Baseball Operations Chris Young pushed back on recent speculation surrounding shortstop Corey Seager. Despite reports suggesting the team might be open to moving Seager, Young called the rumors “overblown,” signaling that the All-Star shortstop isn’t on the trade block - at least not in any serious way.
The San Francisco Giants, who had been relatively quiet early in the offseason, are starting to pop up more frequently in trade chatter and free-agent speculation. The latest buzz has them eyeing Cody Bellinger, a potential impact bat who could fit nicely into their lineup. It’s still unclear how aggressive the Giants will be, but their name is beginning to surface more and more.
And over in Los Angeles, the Dodgers have reportedly shut down any talk of trading Tyler Glasnow. While there was some noise about the possibility of dealing the starter, the team has since informed Glasnow that he’s staying put. That’s a significant signal from a club that’s clearly looking to contend - and wants to keep its rotation intact.
What Comes Next
With the Winter Meetings in the rearview mirror, the MLB offseason is entering its next phase - the time when groundwork laid in December can quickly turn into deals in January. For the Padres, the door may be closing on Michael King, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to bolster the roster. Across the league, contenders are maneuvering, rumors are flying, and front offices are weighing whether to buy, sell, or stand pat.
Strap in - the hot stove isn’t cooling off just yet.