SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pitcher Michael King and the San Diego Padres avoided an arbitration hearing when they agreed Friday to a one-year deal guaranteeing $7.75 million.
King gets a $3 million signing bonus and a $1 million salary this year. The agreement includes a $15 million mutual option with a $3.75 million buyout, and the buyout amount could escalate by $250,000 based on starts this year; $50,000 for 20 and $100,000 each for 25 and 28.
A 29-year-old right-hander, King asked for $8.8 million and was offered $7,325,000 when proposed figures were exchanged. He will be eligible for free agency after this year's World Series.
San Diego obtained King from the Yankees in December 2023 as part of the trade that sent outfielder Juan Soto to New York. King went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA in 30 starts and one relief appearance, striking out 201 and walking 63 in in 173 2/3 innings.
King is 26-26 with a 3.20 ERA in 49 starts and 97 relief appearances with the Yankees (2019-23) and Padres.
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FILE - San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King works against a Houston Astros batter during the first inning of a baseball game Sept. 17, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.
Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.
“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”
During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.
He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.
“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”
While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.
Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.
“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”
Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.
Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.
“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”
He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
