The Padres have officially lost Dylan Cease in free agency to the Toronto Blue Jays, as the 29-year-old signed a seven-year deal worth $210 million. However, this was widely expected, as he priced himself out of San Diego.
Losing Cease hurts, but the team needs to prioritise bringing back Michael King, who declined his mutual option in search of a long-term contract. The Padres definitely have a shot of bringing King back, as president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, even said publicly that starting pitching is the most important need of the offseason.
Padres’ Michael King draws interest from New York Mets in latest offseason rumor
The Padres acquired King in 2023 as part of the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees along with Trent Grisham, a move that proved to improve their minor league system.