San Diego Padres relief pitcher Mason Miller has been one of the hottest names on the market with the MLB trade deadline approaching, and deservedly so.

The right-hander has logged a 0.84 ERA and 0.844 WHIP this season, averaging 16.7 strikeouts per nine innings. However, with the Padres struggling, some feel they could move Miller before Aug. 3.

San Diego does not appear all that motivated to do so, however.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today has reported that the Padres plan on keeping Miller past the deadline, but that they could move another top pitcher: Michael King.

The Friars re-signed King on a three-year, $75 million contract during the offseason, an incredibly team-friendly deal for a pitcher with a 3.24 ERA and 1.173 WHIP on the campaign.

San Diego could probably reap a decent return for King, who was initially acquired by the Padres in the deal that sent Juan Soto to the New York Yankees back in December 2023.

King went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA during his debut campaign in San Diego in 2024, averaging a hefty 10.4 strikeouts per nine frames. He even earned some Cy Young consideration that year, finishing seventh in National League voting.

Last season, King made just 15 starts due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him for a good chunk of the campaign. He was effective during his time on the mound, posting a 3.44 ERA and generating 76 whiffs over 73.1 innings of work, but the injury scared some teams away in free agency.

That included the Yankees, who were actually viewed as a potential free-agent destination for King, but balked at the asking price.

Should the Padres place King on the trade block between now and the deadline, they should definitely garner considerable interest in the 31-year-old.

King owns a lifetime 3.24 ERA since entering the big leagues with the Yanks back in 2019. He primarily featured in a relief role during his time in New York, but became a full-time starter in San Diego.

We’ll see if the Padres decide to move the righty over the next week.