Michael King faced a challenging year in 2025. At 30, the right-handed pitcher began the season on a high note with the San Diego Padres, clinching his first three games. Among these was an impressive two-hit, complete game shutout against the Colorado Rockies. However, his momentum slowed, as he managed just one win in his subsequent nine outings. This period also saw him sidelined for nearly three months due to a knee injury and nerve damage in his throwing shoulder.

Despite these setbacks, King showed enough promise upon his return to keep the Padres interested in his future. This faith culminated in a lucrative agreement, as King and the team settled on a three-year, $75 million contract extension.

King concluded the 2025 season with a 5-3 record, a 3.44 ERA, and 76 strikeouts over 73⅓ innings. The Padres are hopeful he can recapture his 2024 form, where he achieved 201 strikeouts, a 2.95 ERA over 173⅔ innings, and a 3.9 Wins Above Replacement rating, placing him seventh in the National League Cy Young Award race.

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This new contract marks the third-largest for a pitcher in the history of the Padres, trailing only behind Yu Darvish’s $108 million and Joe Musgrove’s $100 million deals. For King, it’s a significant boost. He had previously declined the Padres’ $22.025 million offer, banking on securing a more rewarding agreement. The extension not only slightly increases his average annual salary to $25 million but also provides him with long-term stability.

King’s focus now is to propel the Padres towards a World Series berth. The team has enjoyed four consecutive winning seasons, reaching the postseason in three of those years. Yet, after a promising National League Championship Series appearance in 2022, they stumbled in the National League Division Series in 2024 and the Wild Card round in 2025. Adding to their woes, they’ve watched their in-state rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, clinch the World Series title in the last two seasons. Now, with King’s renewed commitment, the Padres aim to change that narrative.

Now, the goal is to help the Padres get over the hump and reach the World Series. The team has had four winning seasons in a row, reaching the postseason in three of them. But after an NLCS appearance in 2022, the Padres have faltered in the NLDS (2024) and NL Wild Card (2025). Equally as disheartening, San Diego has watched its intrastate rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers, win the World Series in both of the past two seasons.

We’re still a long ways off from Opening Day, but that’s the thrill of the baseball offseason. Moves like this generate plenty of excitement. When it all comes together on the field, that’s when the game is at its most magical.