If the Padres weren’t able to retain Michael King, it would definitely be time for A.J. Preller to hit the panic button. Luckily, he doesn’t need to worry about that, as he inked King to a three-year, $75 million deal to guarantee at least a little bit of stability in the rotation.
But that doesn’t mean Preller can take his foot off the gas, as the Padres are still in need of at least two more back-end starting pitchers to go along with Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove, and Michael King. Preller can accomplish this via free agency or trade, though it would make more sense to fulfill the vacancy by free agency, as the team does not have the prospect capital to make an offer that would be worthwhile.