Padres open to trading away $17M former Yankees righty starter with 3.24 ERA

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The San Diego Padres are a very interesting team for the MLB trade deadline this season, as some huge names could be on the move if AJ Preller sells.

Mason Miller is one to keep an eye on, though a trade of Miller is not looking likely right now. Relievers like Jason Adam and Adrian Morejon could be dealt, but there's another pitcher who could potentially be on the move at the deadline.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Padres could trade away former New York Yankees right-handed starter Michael King and his $17 million one-year contract with a 3.24 ERA this season.

Padres could trade Michael King by MLB deadline

"The San Diego Padres likely will keep closer Mason Miller but could trade starter Michael King, according to rival executives who have spoken to AJ Preller, president of baseball operations," Nightengale writes.

While the Miller news here from Nightengale is important, there is now a much more realistic possibility of King being traded this summer than before.

He is under contract for $17 million this season, and has player options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. But, considering how well he's pitching this season, he has reason to decline those player options and hit free agency after 2026.

If the Padres are going to sell some of their expiring assets, then King is one who, while not guaranteed to leave after the 2026 season, would make sense as someone to move on from this summer.

Teams around baseball need starting pitchers, and the Padres could surely get a decent return in a trade of King by the August 3 trade deadline.

MORE: MLB execs believe Padres will trade Mason Miller at trade deadline

Nightengale is only reporting that King "could" be traded, but there is a real chance that the Padres and Preller decide to cut ties with players who can hit free agency after 2026 amid a somewhat lost season.

Their stars aren't playing well enough, and there are a few too many holes on the roster to consider this team a true World Series contender.

Trading players like King, who can be free agents after 2026, would make sense. King, who has a 3.24 ERA in 21 starts this season, would fetch a strong return in a trade.

Padres fans should now keep a close eye out for any King rumors, as the right-hander could be traded by the August 3 deadline, according to rival executives around baseball.