The Yankees are going into the 2026 season with a very injured starting rotation. Gerrit Cole, Clark Schmidt, and Carlos Rodon will all not be ready by opening day, so one of their top priorities this offseason is finding a quality replacement to hold the line.
Fansided’s Rucker Haringey believes this can be solved by a reunion with an old friend: Michael King.
“Ironically, the player the franchise moved to acquire Soto could end up with some of the free agent cash they originally earmarked to keep the slugger. Michael King has a lot of fans in the front office and would give New York another pitcher who could start a meaningful playoff game…Signing King looks like the most appetizing move for Cashman. He'll be looking for a high salary, but he won't command a lengthy deal. A three-year deal for something around $25 [million] per season would be good value for all parties,” Haringey wrote.
This past season, King dealt with injury, but still posted a 5-3 record, an ERA of 3.44, 76 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.200 over 76 innings pitched. Fully healthy, King would be more than capable as a replacement to pair with Max Fried and Cam Schlittler, and would definitely be amazing as an end-of-rotation pitcher.
As for the projected contract, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has mentioned that he wants to lower payroll. However, with the money the Yankees have that they were going to give Juan Soto, they could definitely afford King.
Hopefully, they start talks with him soon, as many other contenders will be checking in with his camp as well.
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