A possible reunion with Michael King is on the Yankees’ radar, and doing so would possibly serve a double whammy as they appear to fortify their rotation.
The Red Sox and Orioles are additionally competing for King, The Boston Globe reported, that means the groups that don’t land the free agent right-hander might need to face him within the AL East for years to come back.
King started his return to beginning with the Yankees late within the 2023 season earlier than they included him because the headliner within the Juan Soto blockbuster with the Padres.
In two years since then, he posted a 3.10 ERA with 277 strikeouts in 247 innings throughout 46 video games (45 begins), and whereas his 2025 season was restricted by a nerve harm in his proper shoulder, he turned down the qualifying supply to hit the open market this offseason.
“Stud, not shocking [what he did with the Padres],” supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned final week on the winter conferences. “The factor about Kinger is he’s obtained clearly nice stuff and an incredible arsenal. He’s actually good and has an actual good understanding of that stuff. It’s allowed him to evolve as a pitcher, coupled together with his confidence.
“That’s a strong factor if you obtained stuff, the flexibility to be taught and perceive what you’re doing, after which the arrogance to go do it. So I’m not shocked he went to that degree. Obviously had some accidents this previous 12 months that slowed him a little bit bit, however he’s actually good when he’s on the market.”
Whether the Yankees would have the monetary urge for food so as to add each King and Cody Bellinger, their high offseason precedence, stays to be seen. It is feasible that their curiosity in King could be a part of a Plan B if they’re unable to land Bellinger, à la their pivot after lacking out on Soto final winter.
The Yankees, who’re additionally among the many anticipated suitors for Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, have publicly indicated that including a beginning pitcher shouldn’t be a should in the mean time — maybe that’s only for leverage — after re-signing veteran swingman Ryan Yarbrough earlier this offseason. But they’re in a little bit of a tough spot with their rotation.
They already know they are going to begin the 12 months with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt on the injured listing. The Yankees hope to have Rodón again by late April or early May, Cole by May or June and Schmidt probably within the second half as every rehabs after their respective surgical procedures.
That means their present projected rotation to open the season could be Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren and Yarbrough. But that additionally assumes that every of these pitchers will get by means of spring coaching with none points, which is much from a assure, particularly with Fried, Schlittler and Warren every coming off career-high workloads.
And but, in addition they have to ensure they keep versatile sufficient to open spots for Rodón and Cole within the shorter time period, whereas additionally not having the ability to totally financial institution on their returns.
“I’d love so as to add a starter regardless [of Fried, Warren and Schlittler coming off heavy workloads],” GM Brian Cashman mentioned final week. “The extra, the higher. If we will discover some stock so as to add to our crew — however on the similar time, figuring out that our crew goes to be there once they’re all wholesome, so it’s obtained to be one thing that gives some flexibility — which might additionally embrace, worst-case situation if everybody stayed wholesome, which isn’t the case, then you’ll be able to push someone into the pen if you need to.”
King, a Rhode Island native who went to Boston College, is believed to choose a return to the East Coast after spending the final two years in San Diego. He was well-liked within the Yankees’ clubhouse throughout his time in The Bronx, which spanned from being a high-leverage, multi-inning reliever to transitioning again to a beginning position.
And whereas that growth helped within the Yankees having the ability to land Soto, it might additionally finally come again to be a thorn of their facet if King lands with an AL East foe.
“Bringing in a Yarbrough provides us that safety the place, hopefully, possibly he’s a part of the rotation some however then collapses into the bullpen,” Boone mentioned. “You by no means have sufficient [pitching], however I do really feel like now we have some actually proficient choices in that 4, 5, six, seven, eight as we get a little bit bit more healthy.
“If we will add one other starter alongside the way in which, clearly that will be nice. But I really feel like proper now, we’re in a fairly great spot.”
