King: 'I feel like the Padres won' Soto trade with Yankees
San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King believes his new team fared better than the New York Yankees in the Juan Soto blockbuster deal.
"I continue to praise (Padres general manager) A.J. Preller and be confident in saying I feel like the Padres won the trade,'" King said Monday, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post. "I feel like the talent we've gotten, I was shocked to see the Yankees part with that many people.
"Obviously, it's Juan Soto, so you have to give up a big package, but I was pumped to see who was coming with me to San Diego. I know they're gonna contribute this year and for years to come."
San Diego acquired King, young pitchers Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez, No. 2 pitching prospect Drew Thorpe, and veteran catcher Kyle Higashioka from the Yankees in exchange for Soto and Trent Grisham in early December.
"I don't know Thorpe too well, but I've watched video and you look at his stats and you know he's gonna be a stud," King said. "And the ceilings of Brito and Vasquez are through the roof. I've seen them develop this past year and their stuff is incredible."
King is under team control for two more seasons, while Brito and Vásquez are still pre-arbitration for years. All three are expected to contribute to San Diego's rotation in 2024.
Meanwhile, Soto can test free agency next offseason after getting $31 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility.