San Diego, CA

San Diego Padres Reportedly Have Made Michael King Available – Bleacher Nation

Published

1 year ago

January 27, 2025

San Diego Padres Reportedly Have Made Michael King Available – Bleacher Nation

I don’t know the extent to which the Chicago Cubs are going to want to go so in on 2025 as to justify a second huge trade for one year of a player, but I think it’s worth noting that the San Diego Padres have reportedly discussed not only Dylan Cease in trade talks (mentioned before), but also Michael King. Both pitchers are 29, both pitchers were outstanding in 2024, and both pitchers are in their final year of team control before free agency.

From Ken Rosenthal:

“One reason the open market remains clogged is that teams continue to discuss trades. The Seattle Mariners’ Luis Castillo and San Diego Padres’ Dylan Cease and Michael King, for example, are among the starting pitchers who remain in play (King asked for $8.8 million in arbitration and the Padres offered $7.325 million; a hearing appears likely).”

Even at $8.8 million, King would be making $5 million less than Cease in 2025, and could easily fit in the Cubs’ budget. I’m not saying you’d want to see the Cubs choose King over Cease because of the relatively small difference in 2025 salary, I’m just pointing out that there is indeed a difference that may matter to the Cubs.

We know that, even after signing Matthew Boyd, the Cubs were in on a Jesus Luzardo trade, presumably seeking to get a little more upside for the middle of the rotation. The team has since added pretty significantly in the bullpen and then in the swing area with Colin Rea, but they haven’t added a sure-fire mid-rotation type. So, then, you could at least make the argument: if the Cubs were in on Luzardo, why wouldn’t they be in on King?

A former top Yankees reliever, King was sent to the Padres as part of last year’s Juan Soto trade, and converted to the rotation. He rewarded the Padres with a 2.95 ERA over 173.2 IP (33 starts). His 3.33 FIP was nearly as good when adjusting for context and comparing to league average (the ERA was 25% better than league average by ERA-, and the FIP was 17% better by FIP-). That is to say, even if you weren’t crediting him with skill in limiting hard contact (and you should, because he just didn’t get hit hard at all last year), he probably just about earned his results. The guy was very, very good in his first full big league season as a starting pitcher, and he projects quite well in 2025.

That said, you’d be getting King – like Kyle Tucker – for only a single year. We can hypothesize about extensions and all that, but ultimately, you’re getting one cheap-ish year of a probably-very-good starting pitcher. And the price tag, while not Tucker level, would be pretty darn steep in trade. Basically every team in baseball would be able to fit this guy into their budget and rotation. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Cubs wanted him; it wouldn’t surprise me if 10 other clubs have seriously engaged.

The Padres, needing to ditch some salary and simultaneously fill a number of holes, would probably be trying to pull off a trick similar to the one the Astros did with Tucker. You don’t WANT to trade the guy; but may you can make yourself better in the long-term for having done so, and not hurt yourself TOO badly in the short-term.

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San Diego, CA

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

Published

9 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

San Diego County is known for having wet, cold weather in February. But it had numerous hot spells this year. And when the month ended on Saturday a high pressure system produced heat that broke or tied temperature records in nine communities from the desert to the sea, the National Weather Service said.

The most notable temperature occurred in Borrego Springs, which reached 99, five degrees higher than the previous record for Feb. 28, set in 1986. The 99 reading is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Borrego in February.

Escondido reached 95, tying a record set in 1901.

El Cajon reached 92, three degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Ramona topped out at 88, five degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Alpine hit 88, four degrees higher the record set in 1986.

Campo reached 87, four degrees higher than the record set in 1999.

Vista hit 86, four degrees higher than the record set in 2020.

Chula Vista reached 84, one degree higher than the record set in 2020.

Lake Cuyamaca rose to 76, four degrees higher than the record set in 1986.

Forecasters say the weather is not likely to broadly produce new highs on Sunday. Cooler air is moving to the coast, and on Monday, San Diego’s high will only reach 67, a degree above normal.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

21 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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