Right-hander Michael King declined his $28-million player option for the 2027 season and will test free agency, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
King immediately becomes one of the top starters on the open market after posting a 12-10 record with a 3.21 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 32 starts with the San Diego Padres during the 2026 campaign.
The Padres originally acquired King from the New York Yankees as part of their return for outfielder Juan Soto in 2023. He finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting during his first season with the Padres and re-signed with them in free agency following the 2025 campaign.
King leaves $58 million on the table by heading to free agency, where there's a thin crop of reliable starters behind two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
