It's been a harsh reality for Padres fans knowing that Dylan Cease and Michael King were alwars going to decline their qualifying offers. Both right-handed starters are going to sniff out long-term deals in the $100 million range this offseason, so there is a chance that San Diego winds up not retaining either pitcher.
What's going to happen to this starting rotation if both Cease and King don't return for the 2026 season? The rotation isn't the only point of concern for the Friars this offseason, as they will look to bolster a bullpen that will be without Robert Suarez, and potentially Jason Adam for some time.