The New York Yankees aren't alone in this pursuit.
But they've been linked to free agent pitcher Michael King, and they have an advantage: King has already pitched for the pinstripes.
He went to the Padres in the Juan Soto trade, and he developed into a star starting pitcher in San Diego.
Now, King could return to the Yankees and bolster their rotation, if he wants.
"Sources tab the Yankees, Cubs, Mets and Tigers as the most interested clubs, though others including the Orioles, Angels, Padres and Marlins are also in the mix for King," MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote on Friday.
King dealt with injuries in 2025, but his stuff remains nasty.
"A pair of injuries -- a nerve issue that impacted his throwing shoulder and left knee inflammation -- limited King to 73 1/3 innings over 15 starts in 2025, as he posted a 3.44 ERA while striking out more than a batter per inning," Feinsand writes. "In '24, King went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA, fanning 201 batters in a career-high 173 2/3 innings, ranking near the top of the league in both exit velocity and hard-hit rate."
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Feinsand quotes one evaluator who says King "may be the most talented starter on the market."
The Yankees should certainly want King.
They'll get Gerrit Cole back at some point in 2026, but not for Opening Day. Max Fried remains at the front of the rotation, too.
King would be a big boost and give the Yankees a chance to get back to the World Series.
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