Michael King Is the Padres’ Essential Offseason Priority

King emerged as San Diego’s most dependable starter last season, posting a 3.21 ERA over 185 innings. He made 32 starts, both career highs, and recorded a career-best 4.3 bWAR. His postseason work was similarly effective: across two starts and one relief appearance, he gave up one earned run in 14 innings, with 15 strikeouts and five walks.

The 31-year-old declined the final two seasons and $58 million on his contract. His decision reflects expectations that he can secure a much larger deal, with some projections reaching $140 million. Re-signing him would likely keep him atop the Padres’ rotation, but his value also lies in the innings he can provide.

San Diego’s other starters faced significant setbacks. Joe Musgrove did not return until the postseason, when he pitched only in relief, while Nick Pivetta missed nearly five months. Walker Buehler, who started the year under a minor-league contract, posted a 5.36 ERA before the All-Star break. He improved to 3.62 over his final 13 regular-season starts.

The rotation’s troubles placed heavy demands on the bullpen, which logged the fourth-most innings in the majors and showed vulnerabilities in the postseason. Bringing King back could be a first step toward reshaping the staff and easing that burden. Without him, the Padres would need other starters to absorb innings and avoid another season in which the bullpen is stretched thin.