Padres Pitcher Michael King Opts Out of $28M Option to Enter Free Agency

San Diego Padres starter Michael King opted out of a $28 million salary for 2027, taking a $5 million buyout to enter free agency. King is coming off a productive 2026 season in which he posted a 3.21 ERA and a 12-10 record over 32 starts. Despite career-worst underlying metrics in strikeout and walk rates, his refined slider yielded a 20% whiff rate. Analysts project King could land a new deal worth between $25 million and $30 million annually.