New York Yankees Are Among the Most Interested Teams In Michael King
The New York Yankees have been tabbed as one of the most interested clubs in Michael King, per Mark Feinsand. Other teams noted to have significant interest in King are the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and Detroit Tigers. New York traded King to the San Diego Padres as the headliner of the deal that brought Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the Bronx. Is a reunion on the way this Winter?
Yankees Interested In Michael King
Feinsand reported that New York leads the market for King this offseason. The Yankees will start the season without Gerrit Cole or Carlos Rodon, so adding another starter makes sense. They have already re-signed Ryan Yarbrough as a spot starter and bullpen arm. King would rank among the Yankees’ top arms with Max Fried and fits what Brian Cashman seeks.
He has an elite arsenal, featuring a Sinker, Changeup, 4-Seam Fastball, Sweeper, and Slider. The Yankees converted King from a reliever to a starter, and he excelled in just a few starts. In his first season with the Padres, he posted a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. However, during this past season, multiple injuries limited him to only half as many starts as the previous year.
The Yankees have targeted multiple starters this offseason, notably Sandy Alcantara and Tatsuya Imai. Signing King would allow Brian Cashman to make a big splash this offseason. King already understands the Yankees’ pitching coaches very well.
King’s Open To Reunion
In May, King was asked about the possibility of returning to the New York Yankees.
King made his love for the city known when he was dealt to San Diego, and had no hard feelings. Now on the open market, he can take his talents back to where it all started. Bryan Hoch reported earlier in the offseason that there are many within the organization who’d welcome a reunion with Michael King. There is mutual interest on both sides, but it will all depend on the price.
With many more holes to fill on the roster, Cashman needs to be careful about how he allocates his resources this winter. Hal Steinbrenner hasn’t given him an exact number to stay close to this offseason, but if they want to bring in another outfielder along with a top-end starting pitcher, they’ll go well over $300 million and past the tax threshold.
