Pitcher Michael King served as an anchor for the San Diego Padres this past season.

Now, he's hoping to be paid like one.

In 2025, King signed a three-year deal worth $75 million to return to the Padres. As part of that deal, King made $5 million with player options in 2027 and 2028. In late October, King opted out of his contract with San Diego to explore free agency.

While the Padres might be willing to spend during free agency, King might not be an immediate priority this offseason.

Should Padres bring Michael King back?

The Padres should strongly consider bringing back King to serve as a starter in the rotation once again.

San Diego would know what it would have after having King on the roster the past three seasons and what he was willing to do this postseason.

King posted a 12-10 record in 32 starts this season. King pitched a career-high 185 innings during the regular season, allowing 148 hits, 68 runs (68 earned) and 20 home runs. He struck out 159 while walking 70.

King started two of the three postseason games he appeared in this season, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out 15 in 14 innings.

In the game he did not start, he was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning of Game 3 in the National League Division Series at home against the Milwaukee Brewers. King came out of the bullpen after closer Mason Miller was a late scratch and was placed on the postseason paternity list.

King became the only MLB pitcher to start a postseason game and then notch a 6-plus out save within the next two days (since saves became official in 1969), according to OptaStats.

"This is where we started a family," King said after the NLDS Game 4 loss. "We started our foundation here. San Diego's been incredible for me, and it's all the way across the country from home. But now I feel like I have a second home on the West Coast, so it's been awesome. And yeah, I hope to continue."

Why Padres might not bring back Michael King?

The Padres have been linked to pitcher Tarik Skubal, considered one of the gems of free agency.

King might also be considered one of the top prizes among free-agent pitchers and will also receive his fair share of attention on the open market.

If the Padres make a strong push for Skubal and manage not to sign him, King could have already moved on and gone elsewhere, leaving San Diego with nothing.