Overview
- King returns to San Diego on a three-year, $75 million contract that includes player opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons and a reported $12 million signing bonus.
- Multiple outlets cite Jon Heyman in reporting the Yankees did not submit an offer for King despite previous interest, with the club pursuing other targets.
- The right-hander excelled as a starter with the Padres, posting a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 2024, then delivering a 3.44 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings during an injury-interrupted 2025.
- With King off the board, focus turns to remaining starters such as Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez and Japan’s Tatsuya Imai, as teams weigh shorter deals with opt-outs against longer commitments.
- Separately, Alex Bregman opted out of his Red Sox contract and, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, is expected to seek a six-year deal in a market recalibrating around contract length and leverage.