Chapter 1: What is the significance of Michael King's signing with the Padres?
Greetings to all of our viewers and listeners at Padres.com as well as 97.3 The Fan and those of you watching on MLB Network. We are here to officially announce the signing of someone very familiar to all of us here and certainly the faithful. Everyone here at Petco Park is thrilled. They return a pitcher, Michael King, to be announced here today.
Joining Michael on the stage this afternoon is Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, AJ Preller will begin today's program with remarks from AJ, followed by a statement from Michael, and then we'll open it up to your questions. So, AJ, take it away.
Thank you, Don. Michael's here today. I just want to acknowledge he's here today with his mom and dad, with Jim and Michelle, and Sheila, his wife, and Gracie. So it's really, they've been a big part of the Padre family over the last few years, and we're really excited to have them here in San Diego for the long term.
You know, two years ago when we were looking at our roster in the offseason and looking at potentially a big trade and how we kind of reshaped our roster, we felt, obviously we were talking to the Yankees at the time and felt like Michael was a huge priority for us and the perfect fit for our team. what we needed, you know, as a pitching staff.
And two years later in a similar spot, you know, we feel like we have a really good team, championship caliber level team. But we also understood that, you know, in the starting pitching rotation that we were in a spot where we had some holes to fill.
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Chapter 2: How did Michael King feel about returning to San Diego?
And as we sat down and prepped out the starting pitchers that were out there, Michael's, you know, Michael was somebody that we were had very top priority on bringing back throughout the whole offseason. So I want to acknowledge Bobby Barrett, who's here, some twists and turns over the last few weeks.
But, you know, he was diligent that, you know, at the end of the day, he knew Michael loved San Diego. He wanted to be a part of this thing. And we were able to work through it and find a way to get Michael here. You know, obviously, for the fans of San Diego, we know what Michael brings in terms of his ability. That's pretty easy to see. Started opening day, started playoff games.
Obviously has had two years here in San Diego, has been part of two playoff teams. I think the part for myself, Josh Stein, Eric, and John, when we sat down, we were talking about the available pitchers and what we needed to do to make our team better. You do a lot of homework when you're doing these things here. We've been around Michael for the last two years.
So we know the work ethic, we know the aptitude in the mind, we know what type of competitor he is. You know, we've seen how he's made the transition from a relief pitcher to one of the best starters in the game.
Chapter 3: What were the key factors behind Michael King's decision to re-sign?
We've seen the way he's worked with Ruben and our pitching staff. And any time you're looking to make a big investment, you're just looking for somebody you trust. And for John, myself, Eric, Josh, that was a pretty easy decision, knowing that we have somebody that has the ability to be one of the best starters in the game and somebody that we trust a ton as a person.
So very excited to be here today announcing Michael back with the Padres and the signing of Michael to a three-year deal.
Thank you.
Well, thank you, thank you. Yeah, I mean, first off, I want to say how excited I am to be back in San Diego. It's obviously one of the best ballparks, some of the best fans. It is where we started our family. It's where we started our foundation. So we have a lot of ties here. Thank you, John, for believing in me and the whole Seidler family for believing in me.
And obviously, we share the same goal of bringing a championship here. I obviously, a lot of trust in AJ. He does some crazy moves, but he always puts together a winning roster.
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Chapter 4: How does Michael King view the current Padres roster?
And it's really fun to see what that roster ends up becoming. Eric, I mean, we've obviously already had a great relationship throughout it. it's a testament to the fan base that you've created here. And obviously the product that goes out there, but the events that is put on at Petco and how fan-oriented this is, and it's gonna be really special to bring a championship here.
I see Ruben in the back over there. The coaching staff over here has been awesome in my development. Obviously you're the centerpiece in that. Fritzie, Peter Somerville, Chris Apsachea, those guys have fully helped me develop into who I am now. I owe a ton to the ability that I have right now. And I really appreciate everything you've done for me these past two years.
Bobby, I'm sure I may be an annoying client of yours because I have a lot of demands. And I'm sure that you annoy him maybe more than me, which I'm very happy about. But I really appreciate the contract that you were able to negotiate for me. I think that
Chapter 5: What challenges did Michael King face during free agency?
you knew that this is a place that I wanted to be at. And I'm really happy we were able to get something done. I have a lot to thank for my family. Obviously, my parents flew all the way out across the country just for a day just to see this. I know my sister and brother in law back home are watching. You guys have done so much for me. You never once complained about schedule or
or whatever it took to get me to where I'm at. And I couldn't be more appreciative. And my wife and baby girl over there, that'll get me emotional. But the sacrifices that you make, obviously you know baseball wives are, They go through it and we're on the road for half the year. I'm at the field for majority of the day and you're kind of solo parenting for a lot of that.
You've done a great job with our daughter. You've made me, I actually want you to look at the numbers, pre-2021 me and post-2021 me is a testament to how happy I am with my relationship and how much she pushes me.
Chapter 6: What role does Michael King see himself playing in the Padres' future?
So I could not be more appreciative of everything you do for me and the family. Very excited to be back here. Obviously, a ton of faces that are near and dear to my heart, and I can't wait to continue this for the next few years.
Might have been an oversight, but I think you forgot broadcasters.
You're right. The third inning, Mud has already said that I'm on the hook for that. So, yeah, that actually brought the number down. I said it had to be more, but if I get those interviews with Don and Mud, I'll take a little less.
On that note, we'll open it up to the floor for questions. We have microphones on both sides of the room with Devin and with Jorge as well. Please raise your hand, wait for the microphone, and then we'll call on you. And we'll start with AJ Casaville from MLB.com.
Hi, Michael. Hey, AJ. This was obviously your first foray into free agency, your first kind of time getting to experience it.
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Chapter 7: How important is the Padres' community involvement to Michael King?
What was it like? And kind of take me through the journey and what do you think brought you back to San Diego, how it ended up here?
Very cool experience, very nerve-wracking experience. You have no idea how you're going to get valued. You have no idea what team will be interested in you. I was very fortunate to have the teams that I wanted to be interested in me, interested in me. And then I got a little nervous. There wasn't much communication from AJ for a couple days there. But when he came calling, it was...
It was great for us. Obviously, Bobby knew where I wanted to be. And he continued to give me all the details throughout the literally every day I was getting multiple calls from him of different things. And when I heard that AJ was calling and interested, it definitely it made me a lot more excited and a little less nervous.
So I think that it was a very fun experience now looking back at it, but definitely a lot of anxiety throughout the last few days.
I know you mentioned a few things already, but like when it was when AJ called and when San Diego was kind of clearly an option for you, why was it the best option for you?
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Chapter 8: What are Michael King's goals for the upcoming season with the Padres?
I mean, it's very simple. I mentioned, obviously, family getting started here. We have so many roots here. The foundation that we have, the atmosphere of playing here is just it's second to none. And I think that. The players that he has put together, the staff that he has put together, made it so it was very familiar to me and very fun to be a part of.
And I think that we have some unfinished business, and I want to be a part of a championship team. And that was the number one pillar that I set of teams I wanted to go to. It needs to be a team that is going to win throughout the duration of the contract. And I have a ton of trust in AJ to do that, while Gracie's interrupting me. But it's her world.
And so yeah, those are the main reasons why I wanted to be back here and could not be more excited that we got a deal done. Jeff Sanders.
Hey, Mike. What was that timeline? Like how far into free agency before you actually heard from AJ?
I mean, early on, he expressed his interest. And then when did we start actually... Probably more serious. 10 days ago?
It got real serious when I had Craig and Ruben send the text to Mike. I'd be like, hey, feel this out. Let's see if Bobby's telling the truth. Let's see if he's interested in coming back or not. So, yeah, I mean, it's like, you know, you have your initial check-ins, and then, you know, over the last, you know, week to 10 days, it started to get more serious from our end, for sure.
Yeah, I would say it was about that. And, yeah, I got, on the same day, just random text from Ruben and Stammen, and... I forgot even to mention Stan. I think that's an incredible hire. I can't wait to work with him. He's become a friend the last couple years as a special assistant. Is that what he was? And now it's going to be awesome. I can't wait to see him develop into that role.
As you were waiting for that from Preller, you're getting some interest from some East Coast teams. How real was that pull back to the East Coast? You are an East Coast guy.
Yeah, I mean, totally. I think geography played a little bit in terms of where I would like to go. I think that the unknown of being on those teams is a little different. The willingness to win on those teams is just foreign. I had no idea what I was walking into. I had those meetings. And yeah, in those Zoom calls and those in-person meetings, you kind of get a feel for it.
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