The San Diego Padres have a lot of money tied up in their star position players, which handicaps them in free agency. It's why they're likely to lose Dylan Cease or Michael King in free agency.

Both pitchers are free agents this winter, and they're both projected to sign lofty deals. King is bound to be a lot more affordable, so the Padres could be forced to pursue him while letting Cease head into free agency.

Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly recently projected Cease would sign a huge five-year, $125 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles this winter.

"If Cease had matched his 2022 or 2024 season in a contract year, he likely would have been looking at a $200 million contract," Kelly wrote. "He won't get that this offseason, but with five consecutive seasons of 165 or more innings and a

See Full Page