Shocking Reunion: Yankees Eye Michael King to Anchor Rotation — “It’s Definitely a Possibility”.vc
The New York Yankees are reportedly pursuing a surprising reunion with former right-handed starter Michael King, a familiar face who was a key piece in the trade that brought Juan Soto to the Bronx.According to multiple insiders, including The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, a deal to bring the right-hander back is considered “a real possibility” and a logical solution to the team’s immediate rotation crisis.
King (the main character in this reunion rumor) is now a free agent after a standout 2024 season and an injury-plagued 2025 campaign with the San Diego Padres.3
The “Real Possibility” and The Rationale
The Yankees’ interest in re-acquiring King is driven by two critical factors: their urgent pitching needs and the comfort of familiarity.
- Urgent Need for Innings: The Yankees’ rotation depth has been decimated by injuries.4 Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) and Carlos Rodón (elbow surgery) are both expected to miss the start of the 2026 season.5 Bringing in King immediately plugs a major hole, joining Max Fried and breakout star Cam Schlittler at the front of the rotation.
- Proven Starters’ Results: After moving to a full-time starting role in San Diego, King flourished.6 In 2024, he posted a dominant 2.95 ERA across 7$173\frac{2}{3}$ innings, finishing seventh in the NL Cy Young voting.8 Despite shoulder and knee issues limiting him in 2025, his ability to handle a starter’s workload and deliver high-end results is proven.
- Familiarity and Fit: King spent the first five seasons of his career (2019-2023) with the Yankees and is a known quantity to the front office and clubhouse.9 This familiarity reduces the risk associated with a free-agent signing.
The Projected Contract and Market Value
King is a free agent after declining the Padres’ Qualifying Offer, meaning any team that signs him will not lose a draft pick (as he was traded during the contract year).
- Contract Projection: King’s injuries in 2025 (he only made 15 starts with a $3.44$ ERA) have likely lowered his asking price from a nine-figure deal. Current projections from MLB Trade Rumors place his value around a four-year, $80 million to $90 million contract.11
- Cost-Benefit: For the Yankees, an $80 million commitment is a fraction of what they paid for Cole, Rodón, or Fried. This allows them to secure a reliable, mid-rotation arm without compromising their ability to make a massive splash for an offensive replacement.
The move would be both practical and ironic: the Yankees trade King to get Juan Soto, and then bring King back as a free agent just two years later to stabilize the rotation.
Bringing back King would stabilize the pitching staff. Would you like the latest news on the Yankees’ pursuit of a star outfielder, such as Cody Bellinger, to fill the gap left by Soto’s expected departure?
