Michael King opts out, could still receive qualifying offer from Padres

The first of the Padres’ offseason personnel decisions was made for them on the first day of the offseason.

As expected, Michael King declined his part of a $15 million mutual option on the contract he signed before last season, making him a free agent.

The 30-year-old right-hander is among the top starting pitchers available this winter despite losing half of his 2025 season to a nerve impingement near his right shoulder and a knee injury.

The Padres could make a qualifying offer to King, which would guarantee him $22.025 million in 2026 if he accepts. If he declines, the team he signs with would forfeit at least one draft pick while the Padres would gain a draft pick after the fourth round. The deadline to make a qualifying offer is Thursday, and players have 10 days to accept or decline.

While King made just 15 starts in 2025, he had a 3.03 ERA in 45 starts in his two seasons with the Padres. Those were his only two seasons as a full-time starter. He had a 2.95 ERA in 31 games (30 starts) while striking out 201 batters in a career-high 173⅔ innings in 2024.

With Dylan Cease also headed to free agency and Yu Darvish possibly retiring, the Padres’ incumbent starting pitchers are Joe Musgrove, Nick Pivetta, Randy Vásquez and left-hander JP Sears.

The Padres now await a decision by closer Robert Suarez, who is expected to opt out of his contract. Reliever Wandy Peralta is expected to exercise his $4.45 million option for 2026, and the Padres have indicated they will exercise their option on left fielder Ramón Laureano ($6.5 million).

The team will likely decline its portion of mutual options on catcher Elias Díaz ($7 million) and pitcher Kyle Hart ($5 million).