Michael King: Padres Won The Juan Soto Trade
The Yankees traded away Michael King to be the headliner in the Juan Soto trade. The new Padres starter weighed in on the trade he was involved in. If you ask King, he believes that San Diego definitely won the Soto trade.
“I continue to praise [Padres general manager] A.J. Preller and be confident in saying I feel like the Padres won the trade,’’ King told The New York Post over the phone on Monday. “I feel like the talent we’ve gotten, I was shocked to see the Yankees part with that many people. Obviously, it’s Juan Soto, so you have to give up a big package, but I was pumped to see who was coming with me to San Diego. I know they’re gonna contribute this year and for years to come.”
“I’m excited to start a new chapter in my career as a starter,’’ King said. “I’ve had those conversations with [the Padres] and that’s what they expect out of me and that’s what I want them to expect out of me. I’m going to continue to pitch with a chip on my shoulder.”
King, 28, has two years of control with the Padres. Soto is in the final year of his deal and will hit free agency after the 2024 MLB Season. The Padres essentially get an extra year of King along with Randy Vasquez, Jhony Brito, and Drew Thorpe. Kyle Higashioka also went to the Padres and Trent Grissom’s money was dumped to the Yankees in the deal.
2024 will likely be the year where we get to see King be a full-time starter. He thrived in 2023 appearing in 49 games (nine starts) and posting a 2.75 ERA. He also notched 127 strikeouts in 104.2 innings pitched.
I don’t know who needs to hear this but Michael King is really good. It’s a matter of if the other pitchers involved in the deal turn into more. If Vasquez and or Thorpe can turn into stud starters, maybe King has a point. If not, the Yankees will probably be more than content watching Soto launch bombs at Yankee Stadium.
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