On Friday, the Padres and right-hander Michael King avoided an arbitration hearing with a creative deal that guarantees King $7.75M.

Michael King and the Padres have settled to avoid arbitration, per source. King will be guaranteed $7.75 million ($3M signing bonus, $1M salary, $3.75M buyout on a $15M mutual option for 2026). The buyout can become $4M based on number of games started. @sdutKevinAcee was on it.

The Padres and starting pitcher Michael King agreed to terms on a one-year contract Friday in a deal that had something both sides wanted. King got what he felt was fair. The Padres were able to delay paying him about half the money he will be due in 2025.