Mets suffer another blow as Pete Alonso leaves town for Baltimore
USA TODAY Sports’ Gabe Lacques breaks down the acquisition of Pete Alonso by the Orioles and what it means for the Mets moving forward.
Sports Pulse
In a moderately surprising maneuver for a team that seemed to be ramping down its spending, the San Diego Padres are retaining pitcher Michael King on a three-year deal that could pay him $75 million, according to MLB.com.
King has opt-out clauses after the first and second years of the deal, the website reported, and will be guaranteed $22 million in the first season if he opts out. He’s due $28 million in the second year of the deal and $30 million in 2028.
The contract’s structure gives King, 30, the chance to hit the free agent market again next winter unencumbered by a qualifying offer. He’ll be back for a third season with the Padres after they acquired him from the New York Yankees in the deal for Juan Soto.
The Padres made the playoffs both seasons, though shoulder and knee injuries limited King to just 15 starts in 2025 and a one-inning appearance in the postseason. Still, he was stellar in 2024, posting a 2.95 ERA across 30 starts with 201 strikeouts in 173 innings.
That’s the King the Padres hope to have in 2026 – though such a performance would likely send the right-hander back on the free agent market.