San Diego Padres Pitcher Michael King Opts Out of Contract on Oct. 29 to Become a Free Agent, Walking Away From $58 Million Remaining
San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King decided on Oct. 29 to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. According to MLB.com, King declined his $28 million player option for the 2027 season and accepted a $5 million buyout, entering the free-agent market. His contract had two years and $58 million remaining in total, including a $30 million option for 2028.
King, 31, posted a 3.21 ERA over 185 innings with 159 strikeouts for the Padres this season. In the postseason he recorded a 0.64 ERA across three appearances, including seven innings of one-hit ball against the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series, and he also pitched well against the Milwaukee Brewers in the Division Series.
King's career record with the Padres stands at 30-22 with a 3.15 ERA in 78 appearances, 77 of them starts. He came to San Diego from the New York Yankees in the December 2023 Juan Soto trade. After opting out, King becomes one of the most sought-after pitchers on this year's free-agent market, with the New York Mets already rumored as a potential destination.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 圣迭戈教士队投手迈克尔·金（资料图，2021年记者会）/ Padres pitcher Michael King (file photo, 2021 press conference). Photo: YES Network, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
