![[Acee] Cease is projected to get $25–30M per year and King $20–23M, making it likely they sign elsewhere. Any signing team will lose a draft pick, while the CBT-paying Padres would receive a pick after the fourth round for each player lost.](https://www.rawchili.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/vhmb40rx232g1-1569x1024.jpeg)
The Padres are losing two of the most sought-after starting pitchers in this year’s free agent class.
The team’s return will come in July when they exercise two additional picks immediately between the fourth and fifth round of the amateur draft.
As expected, Dylan Cease and Michal King both rejected the qualifying off the Padres made to them on Nov. 6.
Accepting the offer would have guaranteed them $22.025 million in 2026.
It had been widely considered virtually certain that neither Padres pitcher would accept the offer.
Cease is expected to command between $25 million to $30 million a year. Industry estimates estimate the average salary for King between $20 million and $23 million.
The 29-year-old Cease is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career in 2025, posting a 4.55 ERA over 165 innings. But his 162 starts are most in the major leagues since 2021, but he is the only MLB pitcher to have at least 200 strikeouts in each of the past five seasons and was a top-4 finisher in Cy Young voting in 2022 (American League) and ‘24 (National League).
King, 30, made just 15 starts in 2025 due to a nerve issue near his shoulder and a knee injury. But his 3.03 ERA in 45 starts over the past two seasons ranked 13th among pitchers who made at least 45 starts in that span.
Both could return to San Diego, where they played the past two seasons, but it is likely they will end up elsewhere. The team that signs them will lose at least one draft pick, depending on whether they were a Competitive Balance Tax payor, revenue sharing recipient or neither. As a CBT payor, the Padres will receive a pick after the fourth round is completed for each player it lost.
They go forward in the offseason with starting pitching as their biggest need.
24 comments
If King is projected to get less than Cease, I see no reason for us to even consider Cease. What a joke.
We may be cooked
Not sure if this is an unpopular or popular opinion, but I am glad we are moving on from both players. Cease was wildly inconsistent and King was great in 2024, but his injuries in 2025 are concerning.
Michael King is significantly better than Cease. That blows my mind he is projected to get more.
Brother if king is getting a 20-23 mil AAV we got to make a play for him, even if that means moving someone to make room
AJ flipping those picks into a Starter Pitcher as we speak.
Time to rummage the junk bin. This feels like peak 2010
Sheesh. Cease’s availability has been a boon, but his performance has been too inconsistent to justify spending that much cash on. King though, I still think we should make an effort to bring back.
Manager, gone. Check.
Ownership going. Check.
Checkbook for players? No checks.
Isn’t the qualifying offer 22mil? Just stay 😭 please King at least. Ugh
King hasn’t been healthy enough as a starter and cease is wildly inconsistent. Ok with dumpster diving
No matter what happens, we’re gonna need a long healthy season from Java Joe 🤞
I respect the contribution both these guys made yet I’m not sold on either at that price.
Cease had a season of mystery starts that we never knew what version we would be getting. He didn’t pitch like legit front end ace material. Maybe he gets back to being consistent yet that’s a steep bag price to gamble and find out.
King’s a competitor no doubt yet he’s turning 31 and just into his 2nd season as a starter he broke down health wise and no one is certain he’s right and can deliver a full season grind. Then factor that into a 4-5 year deal. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankees get him back and weather any risk.
Wish them both the best with whoever signs them.
We really can’t afford $20m AAV for king?
Really gonna need some preller trades to improve this weak SP rotation
Might as well just resign Preller now! He’s the only shot for the Padres to be competitive and frugal. Which means getting guys who play above their contract, also know as “the Preller special”.
Get a bag, boys!!
Whoever pays Cease that will be very disappointed.
I don’t know how Morejon can see King getting $20-23 million after one good season and one half of an OK season and not beat down Preller’s door to get into the rotation.
Maaaaaan
So you’re saying we traded away Soto and a shot at the World Series just to not sign the young pitcher we got back in the trade?
You all had to know, this was going to happen. Corbin Burnes started 125 games over a 4 season’s got paid last winter. TJ, will pitch 2027.
Teams will do their homework on King. Not buying “I slept wrong.” Narrative. Return to NYY if they include a 4th or 5th year.
Cease probably headed to the Orioles after the Grayson Rodriguez trade.