A.J. Preller didn’t just bring Michael King back — he brought him back on a deal that reads like a masterclass in controlled chaos.
On paper, it’s a three-year, $75 million contract. In practice, it’s basically the Padres renting an ace one year at a time, with the “long-term” part only kicking in if King can’t (or shouldn’t) walk away.
Michael King’s risky options make the Padres’ bet look genius
There are player option years in both 2027 and 2028 for King. If he’s healthy, if the stuff looks like 2024 again, if the velocity bump is back and the shoulder/knee drama from 2025 is a distant memory — he’s almost certainly opting out and chasing the kind of mega-deal frontline starters get when they hit the market at the right time.