Teh New York Yankees will have some cash to spend this winter, per usual, adn perhaps they could target a former pitcher of theirs who has developed into a frontline starter over the past few seasons.
While running through the top 10 impending free agents, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand listed the Yankees as a potential landing spot for San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King alongside his incumbent club and the Toronto Blue Jays.
“King has quietly emerged as one of the game’s top starters since making the move from the bullpen, posting a 2.92 ERA in his two seasons in the Padres’ rotation,” Feinsand wrote. “The right-hander has been limited to 11 starts this season due to a nerve impingement near his shoulder, but assuming he returns and shows that he’s healthy, King — who is expected to decline his $15 million mutual option to become a free agent — should be one of the most sought-after arms during the offseason.”
New York’s rotation is already in a promising spot for the 2026 campaign considering Gerrit Cole will return from Tommy John surgery at some point in the year and join the likes of Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Will Warren, Luis Gil and Cam Schlittler, but adding a potential ace in King remains feasible for an institution that’s always big-name hunting.
King’s endured two separate stints on the injured list this season with shoulder and knee injuries, limiting him to 11 starts. He’s been productive when healthy, though, recording a 2.81 ERA with 65 strikeouts across 57 2/3 innings.
The 30-year-o
Yankees Trade Acquisition Blake King Earns Cy Young Consideration with Padres
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Blake King, a pitcher who began his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees, is having a breakout season with the San Diego Padres and finished seventh in National League cy Young Award voting in 2024. Traded to San Diego in December 2023 as part of the deal that brought Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to New York,King has quickly established himself as a key member of the Padres’ rotation.
From Yankee Prospect to Padres Ace
King was initially recalled by the Yankees on September 19, 2019, and made an remarkable debut on September 27th, allowing zero earned runs against the Texas Rangers. https://www.mlb.com/news/blake-king-debut-yankees He spent the next four seasons (2020-2023) with New York, compiling a 3.38 ERA across 115 appearances, including 19 starts.
Despite his solid performance, the Yankees traded King to the Padres on December 6, 2023, in exchange for star outfielder Juan Soto and outfielder Trent Grisham. 2024 Season: A Cy Young Caliber Year
The change of scenery proved beneficial for King. In 2024, he blossomed into one of the National League’s top starting pitchers, posting a remarkable 2.95 ERA over 173 2/3 innings pitched. his performance earned him seventh place in the National League Cy Young Award voting, a testament to his significant contribution to the Padres. https://www.mlb.com/news/nl-cy-young-award-2024-results ERA: 2.95 Blake King’s story is a compelling example of how a change of surroundings can unlock a player’s full potential. While he began his career in the Bronx, it’s in San Diego where he’s truly emerged as a force on the mound. As he continues to develop, king is poised to become a cornerstone of the Padres’ pitching staff for years to come, and a perennial Cy Young contender.Key Stats from King’s 2024 Season:
Innings Pitched: 173 2/3
* Cy Young Finish: 7th (National League)Looking Ahead