Michael King, Robert Suárez Could Be Cubs Targets as Padres Look to Flip Pitchers
Trading for Ryan Pressly was a step in the right direction, but the Cubs still need to do more work on the pitching staff. Sources have confirmed to CI reports that the Cubs are interested in free agents Ryne Stanek and David Robertson as they look to add one more reliever ahead of spring training. Jed Hoyer would also like to upgrade the rotation with more than just an innings-eating depth piece, which is where his old team comes in.
We’ve previously covered the idea of trading for Dylan Cease and/or Robert Suárez, and Ken Rosenthal reported on Monday that the Padres are open to trading starting pitcher Michael King. The 29-year-old righty has one year left on his contract and is coming off a season in which he posted a 2.95 ERA with 201 strikeouts in 173.2 innings. He has been great at limiting home runs throughout his career and his average 85.7 mph exit velocity ranked in the 99th percentile last season while his 30.3% hard-hit rate allowed was in the 97th percentile.
King is projected to earn something in the $8 million range in arbitration, making him an absolute bargain compared to what he’ll earn on the open market. With pitching prices being what they are these days, the Padres may be looking to cash in rather than lose King in free agency for just a compensatory pick.
MOCK TRADE:
Chicago Cubs Receive: Michael King
San Diego Padres Receive: Owen Caissie and Javier Assad pic.twitter.com/V72CYZwUEe
— Jacob Zanolla (@jacobzanolla) January 28, 2025
Another option could be including Suárez, who is also available via trade with AJ Preller looking to shed salary before the beginning of the season. Suárez, who will turn 34 this spring, had 36 saves and in 65 innings last season behind a big fastball that sat 99 mph. He’s two years into a five-year deal worth $47 million, but there’s an opt-out after this season.
Suárez is likely more expensive than either Stanek or Robertson, but adding him to a King deal might lower the relative cost due to salary relief. Of course, that would require the Cubs to take on all of Suárez’s money. Acquiring King and spending on Stanek is also feasible and would only add around $16 million to the payroll, maybe $1-2 million less than trading for Suárez as part of the deal with the Padres.
Cease also remains available, but he’s a very unlikely target right now because the asking price is insanely high. That could change if the Padres get desperate or if the Cubs need to add a starter at the deadline and San Diego is looking to sell. It feels like the Padres are primed to make a move soon, so the real question is whether the Cubs will be involved.