Overview
- San Diego issued qualifying offers to both Dylan Cease and Michael King, each valued at $22.025 million for one year.
- If either pitcher declines, the Padres will receive a compensatory draft pick, according to MLB.com.
- Cease is widely expected to test the market, with MLBTradeRumors projecting a seven-year, $189 million contract.
- An MLB.com poll of 46 voters slightly favored the Mets over the Cubs as Cease’s most likely destination, with several other teams also drawing votes.
- Cease logged a 4.55 ERA over 168 innings with 215 strikeouts in 2025 and has five straight 32-start, 200-plus strikeout seasons, though evaluators flag walks and home runs as concerns.