MLB Trade Rumors: Padres' Michael King 'Far Less Likely' to Be Moved Than Dylan Cease

The San Diego Padres could be sticking with Michael King regardless of whether they sign free-agent starter Nick Pivetta.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, King "is far less likely to be dealt" than fellow right-hander Dylan Cease.

The Padres have also "listened to offers" for closer Robert Suárez, according to Passan. Suárez is under contract for $10 million next season but could opt out of his deal ahead of the 2026 season.

Passan noted that relief pitcher Jason Adam, whom the Padres acquired at the trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays last season, could take on a closing role if Suarez is moved.

Cease is similarly at risk of hitting the market next offseason after inking a one-year, $13.75 million deal to avoid arbitration with the Padres in January.

King avoided arbitration last month by signing a one-year deal with $7.75 million guaranteed and a mutual option for 2026.

Despite previous reports that the Padres were shopping King's contract, the flexibility of that deal potentially makes him a better fit on the payroll. The Padres are looking to spend more than last season while still cutting payroll this winter, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Brought to San Diego as part of the trade for Juan Soto ahead of the 2024 season, King transitioned into a full-time starting role last season with the Padres.

He finished the season with a 2.95 ERA in 173.2 innings pitched, and the Padres turned to him twice in their seven-game postseason run before an NLDS elimination by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cease, who is now three years removed from the 2022 campaign with the Chicago White Sox that made him runner-up to Justin Verlander for the AL Cy Young Award, finished the 2024 season with a 3.47 ERA in 189.1 innings and one of the heaviest workloads in MLB.

Even though he's on an expiring contract, his talent should make him an attractive trade option for teams in need of a short-term rotation boost. The Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins are among the teams interested, per MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko and The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Dennis Lin.

The Padres could pursue Pivetta, although signing him will give the Boston Red Sox a compensatory draft pick after he declined their one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer last fall. The Pads might have an easier time fitting the raise Pivetta is seeking into the payroll if they're able to move out some salary, such as Cease's contract, this winter.