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This was INEVITABLE... Huge Padres Update!

Padres Digest 9:13
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🚨 PADRES NEWS! Today, Andrew McFarland breaks down Michael King declining his $28 million player option for 2027 and becoming a free agent, per Jon Heyman and the San Diego Union-Tribune. King takes a $5 million buyout instead. He made 32 starts with a 3.21 ERA over 185 innings in 2026, and posted a 0.64 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 14 innings in the postseason. Any contract figures below are projections, not offers.

Padres Digest breaks down why King opted out, how his complicated three-year, $75 million deal was built, what the market projections say, and what it means for a Padres rotation that needs multiple starters this winter.

âš¾ KING DECLINES HIS PLAYER OPTION
What did Jon Heyman report? What happens with the $5 million buyout? How does the standard five-day exclusive negotiating window work for the Padres? Why did everyone see this coming?

âš¾ WHY KING LEAVES THE COMPLICATED $75M DEAL
King re-signed on Dec. 19, 2025 for three years and $75 million after rejecting a $22.025 million qualifying offer. The deal included a $12 million signing bonus, $5 million in 2026 salary, a $28 million 2027 player option with a $5 million buyout, and a $30 million 2028 option. What were the three possible outcomes ($22M, $45M or $75M)? Why would he want a simpler contract this time?

âš¾ KING'S MARKET: PROJECTIONS, NOT OFFERS
Baseball_NBS estimates 5 years and $150 million. Baseball Unstitched projects 3 years and $85 million. How wide is the range, and what does his healthy 2026 season and 0.64 postseason ERA do for his value?

âš¾ PADRES ROTATION WITHOUT MICHAEL KING
MLB Trade Rumors reports the Padres will be looking to bring in multiple starters this winter. Nick Pivetta's $14 million option is due Monday. Joe Musgrove, Randy Vasquez and JP Sears are the starters remaining on the 40-man roster, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. What should the Padres do?

🔥 PADRES NEWS & RUMORS COVERED:
Michael King free agent
Michael King declines player option
Michael King Padres contract
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Michael King buyout
Michael King free agency projection
Michael King 2026 stats
Michael King postseason ERA
Nick Pivetta option Padres
Padres rotation 2027
Padres free agency 2026
Padres offseason news
Padres news today
Padres 2027 season
Jon Heyman Padres

💬 PADRES FANS: Should the Padres re-sign Michael King, sign a different top starter, or add two mid-tier arms? COMMENT BELOW!

🔴 SUBSCRIBE to Padres Digest for Padres news, rumors, game recaps, injury updates, roster moves, player analysis and offseason coverage all year.

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Padres Digest is a YouTube channel dedicated to covering all the latest news, trades, reports, and rumors about the San Diego Padres. We provide in-depth coverage of game highlights, player performances, and analysis of team strategies. Our channel features discussions on key players like Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts, along with insights from Manager Craig Stammen and General Manager A.J. Preller. Stay connected for exciting updates and engaging content on everything Padres!

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