Part 2/9:
As of now, the San Diego Padres have a payroll of $28 million. This figure encompasses recent agreements with players like Luis Arraez and Dylan Cease, but the team still faces challenges, particularly with pitcher Michael King, who is seeking $8.8 million through arbitration. The trend among agents is increasingly toward negotiating short-term deals that lead players to free agency, which could potentially hinder the Padres' roster plans. King is likely to pursue free agency next year, leading to fears regarding the team's pitching depth.