Padres projected $182 million ace sends message on joining Yankees
Context:
The New York Yankees, after losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets, have made strategic trades and signings, including acquiring Max Fried, to bolster their pitching lineup. Despite these efforts, the team's pitching remains inconsistent, especially with Gerrit Cole's uncertain return, prompting potential future moves to strengthen the rotation. Michael King, a standout pitcher with a 2.09 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 2025, has expressed openness to joining the Yankees, a team he previously played for before being traded to the Padres. King's performance has led to projections of a $182 million contract, making him a desirable candidate for the Yankees as they look to enhance their roster. The Yankees may soon approach King with a different offer, aiming to secure his talents long-term as they address their pitching needs.
Dive Deeper:
The Yankees lost star player Juan Soto to the Mets, who signed him for $765 million, prompting the Yankees to acquire Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams, and Paul Goldschmidt, as well as southpaw Max Fried, to compensate for the loss.
Max Fried has emerged as the team's ace with Gerrit Cole's absence for the season, but the rest of the Yankees' pitching staff has struggled, highlighting a need for additional pitching strength.
Gerrit Cole's uncertain return adds pressure on the Yankees to reinforce their pitching rotation, potentially leading to trades or signings at the trade deadline or next offseason.
Michael King, a former Yankees pitcher now with the Padres, has been outstanding in the 2025 season, boasting a 2.09 ERA and 46 strikeouts over seven starts, making him a top free agent prospect.
King, open to returning to the Yankees, was previously traded to the Padres in the deal for Soto, but his exceptional performance has made him a target for the Yankees' future plans.
Projections suggest King could secure a $182 million contract upon reaching free agency, an enticing prospect for the Yankees as they seek to solidify their pitching lineup.
The Yankees' potential interest in King indicates a strategic move to rectify their pitching struggles and capitalize on King's availability to enhance their chances in upcoming seasons.
The New York Yankees have recovered nicely from losing Juan Soto to their crosstown rival, but there’s a clear area in need of improvement for this season and beyond.
Soto opted for a $765 million deal with the New York Mets this past winter, and the Yankees responded by trading for Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams and signing Paul Goldschmidt. Critically, the team also added southpaw Max Fried, who has become the team’s ace with Gerrit Cole out for the season.
But outside of Fried and Carlos Rodón, the Yankees have seen their starting pitchers struggle. And with Cole’s effective return up in the air, they could be looking to fortify their rotation at the trade deadline and in the next offseason.
Now, one of the best pitchers likely to hit the winter market has responded to a question about potentially joining the Yankees on a new contract.
“I mean, of course, once you get to free agency, that’s what I’ll start thinking about,” Michael King said, per Fireside Yankees. “I’ve got to focus on winning today… hopefully by the end of it I can have all 30 teams calling me.”
King has been one of the best starters in all of baseball to open the 2025 season, with a 2.09 ERA and 46 strikeouts across seven starts. If and when he does reach free agency, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden has projected that he’ll be in line for a $182 million contract.
And the Yankees might be glad to hear he’s open to joining them for next year and beyond, as they’ve already had the chance to lock him in long term and chose not to. King pitched for the Yankees from 2019 to 2023, until the team traded him to the Padres as part of the deal to land Soto.
They could be giving him a call soon with a much different message.
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