The Yankees might need to reunite with Michael King at the trade deadline to bolster their depleted rotation.
With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. now locked into a massive 14-year, $500 million extension with the Blue Jays, the Yankees can cross him off their list of potential Paul Goldschmidt replacements this winter. But first base isn’t the pressing concern in the Bronx right now — it’s the starting rotation that needs immediate attention.
The Yankees are facing a pitching crisis. Gerrit Cole is lost for the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and Luis Gil won’t return until at least June. If they’re still contending at the trade deadline, adding an arm isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report suggests a familiar face could be the answer: Michael King.
“There’s a reason the Yankees made a reported run at San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease,” Zucker wrote. “The same is true for Michael King, who has a $15 million mutual option for 2026. King was filthy in his last start, fanning 11 batters and walking just one in five innings.”
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King’s not just any pitcher — he’s a former Yankee who came up with the club in 2019 before heading to San Diego as part of the Juan Soto blockbuster last offseason. What makes this potential reunion particularly intriguing is King’s remarkable transformation since leaving New York.
While primarily used as a reliever during his Yankees tenure, King has blossomed into a legitimate frontline starter with the Padres. Last season, he posted a stellar 13-9 record with a 2.95 ERA across 30 starts and one relief appearance. He racked up 201 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings while accumulating a 4.1 WAR — exactly the kind of production the Yankees’ rotation desperately needs.
The Yankees have the prospect capital to make a serious offer, but there’s a catch. The Padres are off to a hot start this season, which complicates any potential trade scenario. San Diego isn’t likely to sell off pieces unless they’re getting major league-ready talent in return that can help them stay in contention.
That said, the Yankees do have those pieces. They could construct a package that addresses the Padres’ needs while bringing King back to the Bronx where he started his career.
It’s still early, but this is a situation worth monitoring as the trade deadline approaches. A King reunion might be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Yankees’ pitching woes.
