One of the most aggressive teams in the MLB each season is the San Diego Padres. General manager A.J. Preller is always looking for ways to improve the team through trades or free agency. Last season, the Padres were among the top teams in baseball.
They won 93 games but were eliminated by the Dodgers in the NLDS. Preller has a solid understanding of roster building and payroll management. As the season approaches, he’s reportedly considering moving a starting pitcher, with Michael King emerging as a name to watch.
Michael King: Potential Trade Candidate
Coming off a productive season, starting pitcher Michael King could potentially be moved by the Padres. Last season, King posted a 13-9 record with a 2.95 ERA over 173.2 innings, striking out 201 batters. With the potential to be an ace, it would be surprising if the Padres decided to trade him.
doesn’t seem like it would be a ton of fun to face Michael King 😅
some shots from his live BP earlier today ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/7Fariozqzl
— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) March 1, 2025
According to SI.com and MLB insider Bob Nightengale, Preller is exploring trade options for either King or Dylan Cease ahead of the upcoming season. Nightengale noted, “Ultra-aggressive GM A.J. Preller continues to listen to trade offers on Cease and King as a way to shed payroll while remaining competitive.”
In MLB, you can never have too much starting pitching, so it’s expected that many teams will reach out to the Padres to try and acquire one of their starters.
Are the Padres Contenders or Pretenders?
The NL West is set to be one of the toughest divisions in baseball this season. The reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are favorites to win the division, followed by the Arizona Diamondbacks and Padres. The Padres will likely need to secure a Wild Card spot to reach the postseason.
Health will play a key role in the Padres reaching their full potential. Fernando Tatis Jr., one of the most dynamic players in the sport, has struggled to stay on the field. Last season, Tatis played in 102 games, hitting .276 with 21 home runs and 49 RBIs, along with 11 stolen bases.
Tatis has MVP potential, and the Padres will need that level of production from him in 2025 if they hope to compete for a playoff spot. Alongside Tatis, the Padres’ offense will be led by Manny Machado, Luis Arráez, and rising prospect Jackson Merrill. Whether they trade a pitcher before the season or not, the Padres will be in contention as long as the team stays healthy.
