When the New York Yankees traded Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy Vazquez, Kyle Higashioka, and Drew Thorpe to the San Diego Padres in exchange for one year of Juan Soto and Trent Grisham before the 2024 season, it felt like an all-in move, as if every chip was pushed to the center of the table.
Soto delivered, guiding New York to the World Series for the first time in 15 years, but there’s no disputing the cost was high.
Baseball trades are similar to high-stakes poker games, relying on one hand to carry you through. While Soto performed admirably in this position, the Yankees sacrificed both depth and potential longevity.
Of all the names sent packing, Michael King now stands out as the one that could make the Yankees question, “Did we give up too much?”
King was already valuable in New York, but since joining the Padres, he has advanced to the level of an ace. A 2.95 ERA last year drew attention. This year’s 2.42 ERA is making some nervous, particularly in the Bronx.
Free Agency beckons.
This is where the plot begins to twist. Despite his current role in the Padres’ rotation, King could be back on the market shortly. He and San Diego have a mutual option for $15 million in 2026, but let’s be honest: that’s little change compared to what he could earn on the open market.
And timing could work in the Yankees’ favor. Once the World Series is over, King may be eligible for free agency. Unlike the last time, the Yankees would only need to open the vault to get him, not empty the farm system.
Home field advantage.
There is another card in the Yankees’ deck: geography. According to Jon Heyman, King, a Rhode Island native, has strong East Coast roots. His wife is from New Jersey. They lived in Manhattan. That’s important in a sport where lifestyle can be just as compelling as money.
Bobby Milone highlighted Heyman’s statements on X, saying “King, an East Coast guy…is a great candidate to return to the Yankees as a free agent.”
Familiar Face, New Value
King turns 30 in May, but he pitches like he’s just entering his peak, not leaving it. He’s more than simply a diverse arm; he’s a seasoned frontline starter capable of stabilizing a rotation in the same way that a keel does for a ship.
The main question is whether the Yankees will prioritize rotation spending throughout the upcoming offseason. If they do, King fits the bill like a missing puzzle piece that slips back into place.
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