Michael King Opts Out of Padres Deal, Enters 2027 MLB Free Agency

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King has declined his $28 million player option for 2027, choosing free agency after a 2026 season that restored his value as a frontline starter. The decision, reported by MLB.com on Thursday, October 29, leaves San Diego facing another major rotation decision just weeks after its postseason exit.

King, 31, had two seasons remaining on the three-year, $75 million contract he signed last December. He could have stayed for $28 million in 2027, with another player option worth $30 million in 2028. Instead, he will receive a $5 million buyout and test the market. The Padres had not formally confirmed the move when MLB.com reported it.

King’s healthy season changes the calculation

King made 32 regular-season starts in 2026, going 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA and 159 strikeouts across 185 innings. It was a significant rebound in workload after injuries limited him to 15 starts in 2025. His 2026 campaign was worth a career-high 4.3 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference figures cited by MLB.com.

His postseason strengthened the case for a long-term deal. King threw seven scoreless, one-hit innings against the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series, then held the Milwaukee Brewers to one run over five-plus innings in Game 2 of the Division Series. Two days later, with San Diego’s usual late-inning options unavailable, he returned to the mound for a two-inning save in Game 3.

Across those three October appearances, King allowed one earned run in 14 innings, struck out 15 and finished with a 0.64 ERA. The Padres still fell to the eventual World Series champion Brewers, but King’s ability to start and close high-pressure games was one of their defining postseason performances.

Padres face an uncertain 2027 rotation

King’s opt-out does not rule out a return to San Diego. After the Division Series, he described the city as a second home and said he hoped to continue with the club. But his decision gives him the freedom to negotiate a longer agreement rather than remain on the existing two-year structure.

The timing matters for the Padres. Randy Vásquez is among the few established starters clearly under contract for 2027, while Nick Pivetta has a club option. Walker Buehler, Robbie Ray, Casey Mize and Lucas Giolito are also headed for free agency, according to MLB.com, and the future roles of Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove remain uncertain.

King joined the Padres from the New York Yankees in the December 2023 trade centered on Juan Soto. Three seasons later, his latest contract decision makes him one of the leading starting pitchers available on the 2027 free-agent market — and puts pressure on San Diego to decide how aggressively it can pursue a reunion.