New Padres Pitcher Says He's Playing With 'Chip on My Shoulder'

The right-hander is ready to prove doubters wrong this season.

The San Diego Padres orchestrated the signature trade of this offseason, sending star outfielder Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees for five players in December. 

The Padres' front office had been looking to shed salary all winter. Moving Soto was one of the main ways to make it happen.

In return, San Diego received pitchers Michael King, Randy Vasquez, Jhony Brito, Drew Thorpe and veteran catcher Kyle Higashioka. King, who can plug in to the Padres' rotation right away, was the headline piece of the trade package back to the Padres. The team is very high on his upside.

King began last season pitching out of the Yankees' bullpen and finished in the starting rotation. For a Padres roster rocked by departures in the rotation and bullpen, King represents some welcome flexibility. 

As a starter, King posted an ERA of 1.88 over eight starts. The 28-year-old right-hander showed that he could thrive in a big league rotation, and he is ready to prove people wrong next season. He is playing with a chip on his shoulder and ready to make an impact.

“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.”

Per Michael King via The New York Post

The biggest factor for King over his career hasn't been his raw skills, but rather his durability. The 104.2 innings he threw last season were his most since 2018, when King logged 161.1 innings as a full-time starter across three levels. 

The Padres can only hope King's eight-game cameo in the Yankees' rotation was no fluke, and that he can maintain both his health and performance over a full season. 

The long-term impact of the trade doesn't depend solely on King, who's eligible for free agency after the 2026 season. But the short-term referendum will tilt heavily in the Padres' favor if King makes a positive impact on their pitching staff.