In a surprising and exciting move, the New York Yankees have completed a trade with the San Diego Padres, bringing back fan-favorite Michael King. This trade comes at a crucial time for the Yankees, who have been struggling with a depleted pitching rotation following the season-ending injury to ace Gerrit Cole and other setbacks with Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt.
King, who was originally traded to the Padres in the offseason as part of the deal that brought Juan Soto to New York, spent the first five seasons of his MLB career with the Yankees. He quickly became a fan favorite for his reliable bullpen performances and his ability to pitch in high-leverage situations. King made a successful transition to a starting role in the second half of 2023, posting an impressive 2.02 ERA over his final seven starts. His strong performance carried over into 2024, where he emerged as one of the Padres’ top pitchers, boasting a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 173.2 innings.
The Yankees were in desperate need of a stable, reliable starter after losing Cole for the season to Tommy John surgery. King, familiar with the Yankees’ system and with a proven track record, was seen as a perfect solution to help anchor the rotation for the rest of 2025.
This reunion is a major boost for the Yankees, providing them with an experienced arm who can contribute immediately. With Max Fried leading the charge, King’s return to the rotation will provide much-needed depth as the Yankees aim to remain competitive in a challenging AL East division.
Fans are thrilled to see King back in pinstripes, and with his blend of experience and familiarity with the team, he’s expected to make an immediate impact in the starting rotation.
