The New York Yankees might be on the verge of a reunion with a familiar face: Michael King. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the right-hander could return to the Bronx after emerging as a star in San Diego.
A trade that benefited both sides
Padres GM A.J. Preller never intended to trade Juan Soto. But the deal ultimately worked out for both teams. Michael King thrived with the Padres, and Preller later flipped Drew Thorpe to the White Sox for Dylan Cease.
Heyman reports there’s no indication the Padres have opened extension talks with Michael King, who is set to hit free agency soon. That development opens the door for the Yankees to make a move.
The Yankees were reluctant to include Michael King in the deal but felt they had no choice after refusing to discuss Jasson Dominguez. Internally, King was known as the most prepared pitcher on the roster — and one team source called him the most confident young arm, just ahead of Clarke Schmidt.
A native of Rhode Island, Michael King previously lived in Manhattan and is married to a woman from Paramus, New Jersey — all factors that could make a return to the East Coast appealing.
In January 2025,Michael King and the Padres avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.75 million contract.
Michael King’s rise in Pinstripes
Michael King left a lasting mark during his time in New York, developing into a versatile and dependable pitcher.
The Yankees acquired Michael King from the Miami Marlins in 2017, and he made his MLB debut in September 2019. Over the next few seasons, he became a vital bullpen piece. One of his most memorable outings came in 2021, when he struck out three Red Sox batters on just nine pitches — a rare feat in Yankees history.
In 2023, Michael King transitioned from reliever to starter due to injuries in the rotation. He excelled in his new role, posting a 1.88 ERA across eight starts. Overall, he finished the season with a 2.75 ERA, racking up 127 strikeouts in 104.2 innings over 49 appearances (nine starts).
In December 2023, Michael King was part of the blockbuster trade that brought Juan Soto to the Yankees. The Padres also received several other prospects in the deal. King later expressed surprise at how much talent New York gave up and said he believed San Diego got the better end of the deal.
Dominating in San Diego
Since joining the Padres, King has continued to shine. In 2024, he went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA and tallied 201 strikeouts over 30 starts. In April 2025, he threw a complete-game shutout against the Colorado Rockies, solidifying his status as a top-tier starter.
Michael King’s journey from reliable reliever to dominant starter has made him one of the most compelling arms in baseball — and the Yankees might not be done with him just yet.
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