San Diego, CA — May 12, 2025
The San Diego Padres have solidified a key piece of their pitching rotation, announcing on Monday that right-hander Michael King has signed a five-year contract extension to remain with the club through the 2030 season. The deal is reportedly worth $65 million, including performance-based incentives and a club option for a sixth year.
King, 30, emerged as a cornerstone of the Padres’ pitching staff in 2024 after arriving in San Diego as part of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade with the New York Yankees in December 2023. Since joining the Padres, King has made a seamless transition from reliever to full-time starter, posting career-best numbers in innings pitched, strikeouts, and ERA.
Breakout Campaign Fuels Extension
In 2024, King recorded a 12-9 record with a 3.34 ERA and 188 strikeouts over 172.1 innings. His durability and versatility gave the Padres the rotation depth they needed after dealing with early-season injuries. King’s ability to mix a deceptive fastball with a devastating slider and elite command made him a tough matchup for hitters across the National League.
Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller spoke highly of King at the press conference announcing the extension.
“Michael has shown everything we look for in a pitcher — toughness, consistency, and the drive to compete at the highest level. He’s become an anchor for our staff and a leader in the clubhouse. This extension was a top priority.”
Player and Club on the Same Page
King expressed excitement about staying in San Diego long term.
“From day one, I felt like this was the right place for me. The coaching staff, the fans, and my teammates have all helped me take that next step in my career. I’m thrilled to commit to this team and to be part of what we’re building here.”
The five-year extension locks in King through his age-35 season, and it includes incentives for All-Star selections, Cy Young voting results, and innings milestones. The contract also features limited no-trade protection, further signaling the Padres’ commitment to King as a long-term fixture in the rotation.
Stabilizing a Transitioning Rotation
With Yu Darvish aging and questions surrounding other rotation arms, King’s extension brings stability to a unit undergoing transition. Alongside rising arms like Dylan Lesko and Jairo Iriarte, King provides the Padres with both experience and upside as they aim to return to postseason contention after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
This move also reinforces Preller’s offseason strategy to secure homegrown or recently acquired talent before they hit the open market. It follows similar moves the Padres made with Jake Cronenworth and Ha-Seong Kim in previous seasons.
What’s Next for San Diego?
With King’s deal done, the Padres may now shift focus to extensions or decisions on key players like Luis Campusano and closer Robert Suarez. The team also has flexibility to explore trade or free agent options as it seeks to fortify its lineup and bullpen.
As the Padres gear up for a pivotal 2025 season, locking down Michael King sends a clear message: the franchise is building with stability in mind — and King is right at the heart of it.
