Michael King and Dylan Cease enter free agency
Michael King and Dylan Cease have officially set their sights on free agency. The two talented pitchers have chosen to turn down the San Diego Padres’ qualifying offer for the 2026 season, which amounted to a substantial one-year contract worth $22.025 million.
King’s decision to explore the open market was first reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers on Tuesday, while MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand broke the news of Cease’s choice shortly thereafter. This marks a significant move for both players, as they seek new opportunities in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Qualifying offers and player trends
The decision to decline qualifying offers is not uncommon, but it highlights the evolving dynamics of player contracts in Major League Baseball. This season, only four out of the 13 players who received qualifying offers opted to accept them. Historically, the trend has been even more pronounced, with just 14 of the 144 players extended qualifying offers before this season having accepted them.
As King and Cease prepare to navigate free agency, they join a selective group of players willing to test the waters beyond their current teams. The landscape of free agency is always shifting, and both pitchers will be looking to capitalize on their potential and skills as they seek new contracts that reflect their value in the league.
