Padres superstar Dylan Cease has been a popular name in trade rumors this winter, since he has just one year remaining on his contract. But instead, Harrison Smajovits of Atlanta Braves on Sports Illustrated suggested recently that the Braves could target Michael King from San Diego instead.

It had initially appeared that the New York Mets were all set with their starting rotation for 2025 once their re-signing of Sean Manaea to a three-year deal wa

Cease’s name has been in plenty of rumors this winter but this is the firmest indication of the winter that King is potentially available as well. The logic for the Friars considering a trade is the same for both pitchers, as each is going into his final season of arbitration control.

This offseason has been nothing short of a nightmare for San Diego Padres fans. The Friar Faithful, accustomed to the team’s aggressive pursuit of stars, now face an unsettling shift in strategy.