Former Yankees pitcher discovers swap for Juan Soto in unusual way

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In a peculiar turn of events, Michael King, a former pitcher for the New York Yankees, learned about his trade to the San Diego Padres in an unconventional manner while on a date with his fiancée. The trade, which involved acquiring outfielder Juan Soto, unfolded without King having access to a popular MLB channel during the crucial moment.

Ex-Yankees pitcher discovers trade for Juan Soto in a different way

The quirky incident was recounted by ESPN “Sunday Night Baseball” announcer Karl Ravech on the “Baseball Tonight” podcast with Buster Olney. Ravech, who shares a close connection with King’s father, described the situation as “bizarre” and shed light on the unexpected circumstances surrounding the revelation.

“But last night, he was at the Rockettes, which is something he and his soon-to-be wife decided to do,” Ravech said. “He doesn’t have MLB TV, so he had to get on the phone with his agent and watch MLB TV through his agent’s phone. It was just bizarre. I mean, it’s sort of typical of somebody who doesn’t necessarily have that tool right away, so you can sit there and watch, and he wasn’t sitting there and watching.”

On the night of the trade, Michael King found himself at a Rockettes show with his soon-to-be wife, a decision they had made for their date night. Lacking access to MLB TV, King had to resort to watching the developments through his agent’s phone. The scene painted a picture of the unexpected and somewhat comical nature of the situation, highlighting the relatability of professional athletes to their fans.

Ravech emphasized the uniqueness of the situation, stating, “He doesn’t have MLB TV, so he had to get on the phone with his agent and watch MLB TV through his agent’s phone. It was just bizarre. I mean, it’s sort of typical of somebody who doesn’t necessarily have that tool right away, so you can sit there and watch, and he wasn’t sitting there and watching.”

During the course of the evening, King received three phone calls, each playing a pivotal role in shaping his immediate future. General managers Brian Cashman from the Yankees and AJ Preller from the Padres, along with Yankees manager Aaron Boone, reached out to inform King about the trade. Boone’s call, in particular, left an “incredible” impression on King, adding a personal touch to the unexpected turn of events.

As part of the trade, the 28-year-old King, known for his late-season starting success with a 2.23 ERA and 51 strikeouts in nine starts, became a key asset for the Padres. Alongside King, the Yankees also sent pitchers Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez, and Drew Thrope to the Padres in exchange for Soto and center fielder Trent Grisham.

Ravech revealed that King is set to tie the knot on December 16, providing him with an opportunity to bid farewell to his former teammates in person. The impending wedding adds a poignant element to the narrative, marking a transition not only in King’s professional career but also in his personal life.

In the world of professional sports, where transactions are often announced through formal channels, King’s story adds a touch of humanity, showcasing that even elite athletes can find out about life-altering events in the most unexpected and relatable ways.

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