The San Diego Padres and right-hander Michael King agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2026 to avoid arbitration, the club announced Friday.
The pact includes a $3-million signing bonus and a $1-million salary, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The mutual option for 2026 is reportedly worth $15 million and comes with a significant buyout.
Michael King and the Padres have settled to avoid arbitration, per source. King will be guaranteed $7.75 million ($3M signing bonus, $1M salary, $3.75M buyout on a $15M mutual option for 2026). The buyout can become $4M based on number of games started. @sdutKevinAcee was on it.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 31, 2025
King and the Padres were initially unable to reach an agreement after the club filed for a $7.325-million salary while King countered at $8.8 million.
The Padres acquired King from the New York Yankees in the Juan Soto blockbuster. The 29-year-old enjoyed a breakout 2024 campaign in his first full season as a starting pitcher. King posted a 13-9 record with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts across 173 2/3 innings.
