With the San Diego Padres currently out of the N.L. playoff race, it may be time to trade Michael King. 

At this point, the 2026 season is a disappointment for the San Diego Padres.

The season started out well in terms of wins and losses as the Padres sat 29-18 and just took one game from their division rival, Los Angeles Dodgers. The team dropped the next two games at home in mid-May and have gone 15-28 since. They are five games out of the last N.L. Wild Card spot and four teams are above them also chasing the Cardinals. Things are dire.

If the Padres do not pull out of this tailspin soon, they will surely crash and burn.

For the fan base, it is time to start thinking about selling. For management, they will hold strong. But even they know, only a winning streak of some sort will save this club in the next few weeks.

In looking at the roster, there are some valuable trade chips. Mason Miller is the obvious one, but San Diego would require a haul to trade arguably the best pitcher on the planet right now.

Adrian Morejon and Jason Adam are due for free agency after the season and would be in demand. It remains to be seen what the Padres will do in regard to both high-leverage relievers. Adam is currently shelved with an arm injury and that may save him from being traded.

Michael King signed a three-year deal for $75 million prior to the 2026 season to remain with the Padres. King owns two options in the deal and may leave at any point after a season to explore free agency. It is being reported that there isn’t a no trade clause in the contract, so the right-handed pitcher could be traded without approval.

For the Padres, it may be time to explore this option.

I know that King represents the team as their best pitcher, but at this point, trading assets to improve the long-term roster makes sense.

On the open market, with a short-term, team-friendly deal, the Padres may be able to obtain a decent load of players in return for the pitcher. Playoff teams are always looking for pitching and King has experience both pitching out of the rotation and the bullpen.

Trading Michael King for prospects would be a white flag on the 2026 season. We are at that point. If this team does not improve in the coming week or so, there is no doubt that A.J. Preller will change gears and move players. The team will purge themselves of players that will not return in 2027, and they very well may explore moving some of their best players for talent.

Michael King represents that. It will be interesting to see if the Padres go that route. At this point, they may need to move the pitcher.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.